SUMMARY

This discussion is prompted by two articles. The first articleentitled “Genetic variation in chromosome Y regulatessusceptibility to influenza A virus infection” by Krementsov et al.introduces the genetic components of human susceptibility toInfluenza A virus. The second paper by Lindor et al discussesquestions surrounding the increasing genome sequencing informationavailable to healthy individuals.

Several issues arise from the availability of detailed healthinformation including concerns about discrimination and stigmas, aswell as the impact on the psychological well-being of those foundto be at increased risk for infections, diseases, or conditions.Such sensitive health information also poses ethical, legal, andsocial challenges for the management of such information (who hasaccess, who is allowed to view such information). The applicationsof personalized genome information require care and expertise ininterpreting genetic data and implementing, for example, changes inlifestyle and behavior.

The background reading includes first, an article titled“Ethical Consequences of Full Human Genome Testing” which discussesprivacy concerns over the handling of such genomic information(which may include the quality of individual responses to diseasetreatment, their health susceptibilities, predictions of theirfuture disease likelihood, their carrier status for certain geneticdisease alleles, etc.). Second, an issue brief regarding workplacewellness health screening programs and the rights of workersregarding this information titled “Changing Rules for WorkplaceWellness Programs: Implications for Sensitive HealthConditions”.

DISCUSSION PROMPTS

1. After receiving personalized genomic information, how might youuse such knowledge with respect to your own health?
2. Would a genetically tested family member providing children orother family members with information regarding genetic information(such as carrier status) be desirable?
3. Might such testing be used as a prerequisite for employment,spousal selection, marriage, adoption, or IVF embryoimplantation