Confidentiality & the Risk of Genetic Discrimination: What Surgeons Need to Know

Amanda Gammon; Deborah W Neklason

doi:10.1016/j.soc.2015.06.004

Confidentiality & the Risk of Genetic Discrimination: What Surgeons Need to Know

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2015 Oct;24(4):667-81. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2015.06.004. Epub 2015 Jul 16.

Authors

Amanda Gammon¹, Deborah W Neklason²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, High Risk Cancer Research, Huntsman Cancer Institute at University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
² Department of Internal Medicine, High Risk Cancer Research, Huntsman Cancer Institute at University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

Abstract

In the past decade, laws have been passed to provide legal protections against genetic discrimination. Many members of the public and medical providers are unaware of the legislation, and concerns about genetic privacy can prevent delivery of optimal medical care. Patient health information, including genetic testing and family history, is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. Additional protections are granted through the Americans with Disabilities Act, state laws, and the Affordable Care Act. Communicating a genetic test result back to a patient is important for medical management decisions and family members.

Keywords: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act; Genetic discrimination; Genetic testing; Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; Hereditary cancer; Legal; Privacy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Confidentiality / legislation & jurisprudence*
Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
Genetic Testing / legislation & jurisprudence*
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act*
Social Discrimination
Surgeons*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding