In discussions about direct-to-consumer availability of genetic testing, much attention has been given to identifying the various risks and benefits that individuals might incur. For example, upon learning one's genetic information, an individual may practice better preventive behaviors, watch for symptoms, or even alter reproductive choices. On the side of risks, an individual might misunderstand the information, experience fatalism, or develop a false sense of security. Much attention has also been given to the development of various methods, policies and regulations designed to ensure that the expected benefits actually arise and that the risks are minimized. For example, scholars discuss policies aimed at protecting genetic confidentiality (Resnick 2009) or ensuring that individuals who share their genetic information with medical researchers are given the protections typically afforded to research subjects (Wasson 2009).
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