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Whole genome and whole exome sequencing technologies are being increasingly used in research. However, they have the potential to identify incidental findings (IF), findings not related to the indication of the test, raising questions regarding researchers' responsibilities toward the return of this information to participants. In this study we discuss the ethical considerations related to the return of IF to research participants, emphasizing that the type of the study matters and describing the current practice standards. There are currently no legal obligations for researchers to return IF to participants, but some viewpoints consider that researchers might have an ethical one to return IF of clinical validity and clinical utility and that are actionable. The reality is that most IF are complex to interpret, especially since they were not the indication of the test. The clinical utility often depends on the participants' preferences, which can be challenging to conciliate and relies on participants' understanding. In summary, in the context of a lack of clear guidance, researchers need to have a clear plan for the disclosure or nondisclosure of IF from genomic research, balancing their research goals and resources with the participants' rights and their duty not to harm.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Philosophy and Religious Studies
Research Group:	Applied Ethics
Research Field:	Bioethics (human and animal)
Objective Division:	Cultural Understanding
Objective Group:	Religion and Ethics
Objective Field:	Bioethics
UTAS Author:	Burdon, KP (Professor Kathryn Burdon)
UTAS Author:	Mackey, DA (Professor David Mackey)
UTAS Author:	Hewitt, AW (Professor Alex Hewitt)
UTAS Author:	Otlowski, M (Professor Margaret Otlowski)
ID Code:	110176
Year Published:	2016
Web of Science® Times Cited:	6
Deposited By:	Law
Deposited On:	2016-07-18
Last Modified:	2017-11-07
Downloads:	164 View Download Statistics