The policy and ethical implications of genetic research on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To review the policy and ethical implications of recent research on the molecular genetics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


METHODS
MEDLINE and psycINFO database searches were used to identify studies on the genetics of ADHD. The implications of replicated candidate genes are discussed.


RESULTS
The findings for most genes have been inconsistent but several studies have implicated the genes in the dopaminergic pathway in the aetiology of ADHD.


CONCLUSIONS
The current evidence on the genetics of ADHD is insufficient to justify genetic screening tests but it will provide important clues as to the aetiology of ADHD. Genetic information on susceptibility to ADHD has the potential to be abused and to stigmatize individuals. Researchers and clinicians need to be mindful of these issues in interpreting and disseminating the results of genetic studies of ADHD.
Yeh
Max
M
Office of Public Policy and Ethics, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia Queensland, 4072, Australia.
Morley
Katherine I
KI
Hall
Wayne D
WD
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000235:genetics*; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D030661:Genetic Privacy / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D036281:Genetic Research / Q000941:ethics*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000941:ethics; D005838:Genotype; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans