Discrimination - DONE
As whole genomic sequencing technology advances, the information that arises could be detrimental to individuals. It can provide employers and insurance companies with information regarding what diseases individuals are prone to, the treatment associated with the disease and the costs of ensuring the individual is receiving the appropriate care they need.
With this information in mind, employers can decide which individuals …show more content…
566). One case where physicians do not need to absolutely protect the patient-physician confidentiality is where there is a possibility for an infectious disease to be transmitted to people whom the patient has threatened violently (Clayton, 2003, p. 567). Although that is one scenario where the relationship can be breached, the debate continues with the potential information whole genomic sequencing can reveal. As physicians begin to further understand genomic sequencing data, the potential diseases that the patient is more prone to begin to identify themselves. With this information, physicians do not know whether they are ethically permitted to contact relatives themselves and whether they should be legal to do so (Clayton, 2003, p. 567). There are cases in the United States where relatives of patients who have successfully sued the physicians due to the physician not warning them of their inherent genetic disorders (Clayton, 2003, p. …show more content…
155). Specific consent forms do not allow researchers the flexibility to thoroughly investigate the secondary aspects of whole-genome sequencing, thus limiting their scope of research. In order to further investigate further funding is required to hire legal counsel so that all legal complications are met and there is assurance for the progression of the experiment.
In addition to blanket consent forms, as information is limited they are all sorted into shared databases. As these databases are not as of yet secured, a security and privacy implication arises (McGuire, 2008, p. 155). If the data participants have provided is breached, it may have long-term consequences for the participants. Opponents believe that due to the lack of security, there need to be stricter regulations and increased protection for the data that is collected for both the participants and the progression of genomic and personalized medicine (McGuire, 2008, p. 155).
Costs -