Ethical Nursing Practices

756 Words4 Pages

Since scientists found out the sequenced the human genome in 2003, a number of studies of genetics and genomics have greatly contributed to determining the multiple factors of how acute and chronic diseases develop and progress, such as cancer or cardiovascular disease. Cancer is no longer a single disease, which occurs combined with other different disease-causing factors. The sequencing of the human genome is a powerful tool to diagnose and treat disease in a medical environment. This rapid advance in genomes studies can help many people to prevent and to treat the gene-based diseases, and healthcare professionals also are urged to use this knowledge in practice. However, these advancements in genomics are accompanied by many legal, ethical, …show more content…

These ethical codes can be the foundation for many healthcare professionals to make decisions more effectively and rationally. Informed consent with regard to genetic testing takes a role as more than a signed document because incidental findings can take place during the test. Healthcare professionals should have more in-depth communication with patients. To manage this ethical, legal, and social issues effectively in genomic nursing, healthcare professionals should have appropriate knowledge and skills, so they can serve patients in better …show more content…

These secondary findings can also raise ethical issues of whether or not healthcare professionals should inform patients. I think that although patients have the right to refuse to be informed, the risk factor is not gone. Because the disease-causing gene still exists, patients need to learn the information and should be prepare for that. Healthcare professionals should inform patients before testing the likelihood of incidental findings, so patients are not overwhelmed by the discovery. Accordingly, informed consent should be handled in open communication with all possibilities uncovered. I think that healthcare leaders should set up guidelines as to how to manage the unexpected findings that can take place during genetic