Resources about ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) related to genetics and genomics in clinical practice
Accessing and using genetic information clinically can raise unique ethical, legal, and social concerns, generally known as ELSI. For example, unlike most other types of medical information, identifying a genetic variant in a patient may also diagnose his or her close relatives with the condition without them ever agreeing to testing. Recognizing what these issues may be in a specific situation provides the opportunity to discuss them directly with patients and identify ways to address them. The resources below discuss ELSI issues, their clinical implications, and ways to discuss them with patients.
GINA Discussion Guide. Provides talking points and key information about genetic discrimination and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which protects individuals from the misuse of genetic information in health insurance and employment.
Communicating with Family Factsheet. Provides tips for the provider to assist in family communication about genetic testing and risk.
Informed Consent Checklist. Outlines key points to include in pretest counseling that help prepare an individual for the potential outcomes of genetic testing.
Core Competencies for Healthcare Providers. Identifies competencies in genetics for all healthcare providers, developed by the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG).
Free, self-directed programs for continuing education credit. Courses contain case studies and/or information that discuss ELSI implications in clinical practice.
Practice evaluating how well a particular genetic test assesses breast cancer risk and the potential impact of testing on patient outcomes.
Access CME Module | Access CNE Module
Practice deciding when and if genetic testing is appropriate given a patient's clinical and personal context.
Access CME Module | Access CNE Module
Practice interpreting genetic testing results within a patient's specific context.
Access CME Module | Access CNE Module
Reenergizing exhausted T cells, with help from a rare immune cell known as a basophil, can kickstart the immune system into...
This workshop provides training in the use of genetically defined laboratory mice as tools for asking questions about gene function and the...
Christine Beck and Peter Audano are at the forefront of research involving long-read sequence data. They are particularly...
A look into Beth Dumont's work with JAX, tracing her time from summer student to an associate professor on the JAX faculty.
Explore five research tools and methods that didn't exist ten years ago that could be medical game changers.
JAX researchers have developed a potential new treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a sometimes fatal heart condition that affects...
Paige Ramkissoon reflects on how her time in the JAX Postbac program has prepared her for the next step in her academic...
With $13 million in renewed support, Karolina Palucka will further study how aging affects airway epithelial cells’...
What is a mouse model? Find out in this Minute to Understanding from the Jackson Laboratory!
We use cookies to personalize our website and to analyze web traffic to improve the user experience. You may decline these cookies although certain areas of the site may not function without them. Please refer to our privacy policy for more information.
Allow essential cookies
Required for basic site operations.
Allow analytics cookies
Used to analyze web traffic to improve the user experience.
Allow marketing cookies
Used to deliver personalized information and tailor communications.