On the justifiability of ACMG recommendations for reporting of incidental findings in Clinical Exome and Genome Sequencing

Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics

Volumn 43, Issue 1, 2015, Pages 134-142

  May, Thomas ^a,b  

^a MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN   (United States)

^b UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ETHICS; EXOME; GENOMICS; HUMAN; HUMAN GENOME; INCIDENTAL FINDING; SEQUENCE ANALYSIS; STANDARDS; UNITED STATES;

EXOME; GENOME, HUMAN; GENOMICS; HUMANS; INCIDENTAL FINDINGS; SEQUENCE ANALYSIS; UNITED STATES;

EID: 84926290223     PISSN: 10731105     EISSN: 1748720X     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1111/jlme.12201     Document Type: Article

References (16)

1. American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, ACMG Recommendations for Reporting of Incidental Findings in Clinical Exome and Genome Sequencing, available at (last visited February 23, 2015) (hereinafter cited as ACMG).
2. J. Couzin-Frankel, "Return of Unexpected DNA Results Urged, "Science 339, no. 6127 (March 29, 2013): 1507-1508.
3. See ACMG, supra note 1, at 7-8.
4. C. Y. Johnson, "Controversial Guidelines Suggest Patients Should Be Informed What Risks Lurk in Their DNA, "Boston Globe, March 21, 2013, available at (last visited February 23, 2015).
5. American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, ACMG Updates Recommendation on "Opt Out" for Genome Sequencing Return of Results, Press Release, April 1, 2014, available at (last visited February 23, 2015).
6. K. A. Strong, K. Zusevics, D. Bick, and R. Veith, "Views of Primary Care Providers Regarding the Return of Genomic Sequencing Incidental Findings, "Clinical Genetics 86, no. 5(2014): 461-468; K. A. Strong, K. Zusevics, D. Bick, and R. Veith, "Views of Nonmedical, Health System Professionals Regarding the Return of Whole Genome Sequencing Incidental Findings, "Wisconsin Medical Journal 113, no. 5 (2014): 179-184.
7. J. S. Mill, On Liberty (New York: Liberal Arts Press, 1956).
8. T. May and R. Spellecy, "Autonomy, Full Information, and Genetic Ignorance in Reproductive Medicine, "Monist 89, no. 4 (2006): 466-481; T. May and M. Aulisio, "Personal Morality and Professional Obligations: Rights of Conscience and Informed Consent, "Perspectives in Biology and Medicine 52, no. 1 (2009): 30-38.
9. T. May, Bioethics in a Liberal Society (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002).
10. R. Dworkin, Taking Rights Seriously (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1978).
11. See ACMG, supra note 1, at 18.
12. T. May, "Re-Thinking Clinical Risk for DNA Sequencing, "American Journal of Bioethics 12, no. 10 (2012): 24-26.
13. See Mill, supra note 10; J. Feinberg, Harm to Others (New York: Oxford University Press, 1984).
14. R. C. Green, J. R. Lupski, and L. G. Biesecker, "Reporting Genomic Sequencing Results to Ordering Clinicians: Incidental, Not Exceptional, "JAMA 310, no. 4 (2013): 365-356.
15. A. McGuire, S. Joffee, and B. Koenig et al., "Ethics and Genomic Incidental Findings, "Science 340, no. 6136 (May 31, 2013): 1047-1048.
16. T. May, "An Adoptive Parental Perspective on Personal Genomic Screening, "Pediatrics (forthcoming 2015).