A Systematic Review of the Management of Incidental Findings in Genomic Research.

Cornelius Ewuoso

doi:10.20541/beonline.2016.0006

Abstract

Information empowerment has been the greatest gain of genomics, yet it also poses serious threat to its survival, especially when the information is incidental. There may be an emerging consensus that actionable incidental findings be returned. But this has not been supported by any systematic review. Future directions are equally missing. These are significant gaps.To fill these gaps, an online search on PubMed and Genetics in Medicine website was conducted between 20th of August to 23rd of October, 2013; combining certain filters and phrases, such as ‘return incidental findings’. Nineteen (19) articles were selected from an avalanche of results, and reviewed. The review confirms a majority support for return of clinically actionable findings. The result also shows that the support represents views of Northern Americans. Critical contributions of Africans, Asians and Europeans are missing in this discourse. I recommended studies in this direction.

Highlights

There is no denying the fact that genomics is redefining medicine in a whole new way
This is the first study that will systematically review existing empirical studies on how to manage incidental findings when they arise within genomic research
This review shows that there is a consensus – which cuts across board, researchers, patients, public, geneticists, IRB members, IRB chairs – that clinically actionable findings or findings with serious health conditions should be returned

Summary

Introduction

There is no denying the fact that genomics is redefining medicine in a whole new way. Our examination of existing literatures shows that there is need to carefully reflect on the negative and positive implications of returning incidental findings to participants These gaps are significant, since the current techniques and future technologies used in genomic research would continue to yield massive information, and some would be incidental (Wolf et al, 2008b). Research participants have a right to be informed about these findings given that certain conditions are fulfilled They (Lockhart et al, 2012, Zawati and Knoppers, 2012) propose five criteria, for the general duty to return incidental findings:. I shall attempt a systematic review of empirical studies on how to manage incidental findings

Method and Materials

Result

Findings

Discussion