The Health of the Oldest Women, Human Rights and Women's Health. Deficiencies in the Consent Process for Genetic Testing by Lori B. Andrews, JD Genetic tests are available for an increasing array of disorders. Although the doctrine of informed consent requires that physicians provide sufficient information to patients in advance of testing and allow them to make decisions in a noncoerced way, some studies have shown that physicians do not provide adequate information about the nature of genetic testing and its risks.
Some physicians test patients without their consent.
This article recommends that physicians address the limitations on their knowledge about genetics and about life with genetic disorders. It also analyzes how the informed consent process for genetic testing can be improved. This site is best viewed with Netscape.