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Informed Consent in Genomics

Meaning

Informed Consent in Genomics is a specialized ethical and legal process that ensures individuals fully understand the nature, implications, and potential risks of undergoing genetic or genomic testing before agreeing to the procedure. This process goes beyond standard medical consent, requiring clear communication about the potential for identifying predispositions to diseases, the possibility of incidental findings, and the critical privacy implications of their genetic data. The clinician must ensure the patient comprehends how their genomic information might impact their family, insurance, and future health decisions. This transparent dialogue is foundational to ethical precision medicine and personalized wellness protocols.