Legal and ethical issues in cancer genetics nursing.
OBJECTIVE
This article will set forth major interests at stake for patients considering predictive genetic testing, some legal bases for protecting patients, and general ethical principles that can guide cancer genetic nurses in their practice.


METHODS
Review of health, ethical, and legal literature


CONCLUSIONS
There are many potential interests at stake for patients considering genetic testing for susceptibility to cancer and a number of legal protections for patients against genetic discrimination. Nurses and physicians who offer genetic testing should be aware of applicable laws in their states, and remain cognizant of evolving ethical principles that can guide the practice


CONCLUSIONS
Ethical and legal questions surrounding genetic testing linger--particularly for nurses and physicians whose primary concern is the best interests of the patient.
Lowrey
Kerri McGowan
KM
NOVA Research Company, Bethesda, MD, USA.
D003219:Confidentiality; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000451:nursing; D009386:Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / Q000235:genetics / Q000451:nursing; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000941:ethics*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States