Privacy and confidentiality measures in genetic testing and counselling: arguing on genetic exceptionalism again?

Abstract

Medical confidentiality in clinical genetics poses an important question about its scope, which would be in line with professional ethics and simple honesty. It is already known that the maintenance of absolute anonymity, bearing in mind the current progress of genetic techniques, is virtually impossible. On the other hand, our insight into the information contained in the human genome is increasing. This mini-review presents the authors’ standpoint regarding this complex and difficult issue.