Return of secondary findings in genomic sequencing: Military implications

• Published in: Molecular genetics & genomic medicine Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. e00483 - n/a
• Main Authors: Hellwig, Lydia D., Turner, Clesson, Manolio, Teri A., Haigney, Mark, James, Cynthia A., Murray, Brittney, Szpisjak, Dale F., Muldoon, Sheila, Estrada‐Veras, Juvianee, Krokosky, Alyson, De Castro, Mauricio J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.02.2019; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia - genetics; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiomyopathy; Disease prevention; Exercise; Fever; Genes; Genetic Carrier Screening - standards; Genetic Counseling - standards; Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act 2008-US; Genomics; Genotype & phenotype; Health care; Humans; Hyperthermia; Incidental Findings; Informed Consent; Malignant Hyperthermia - genetics; Military; Military Medicine - standards; Military Personnel; Military service; Physical fitness; secondary findings; Special; Whole Genome Sequencing - standards; genomics; military; secondary findings
• ISSN: 2324-9269; 2324-9269
• DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.483

Background Genomic sequencing has become a widely used tool in clinical and research settings in both civilian and military healthcare systems. Methods In this paper, we consider potential military‐specific implications of returning genomic sequencing secondary findings to ensure the proper protections, policies, and processes are in place for the use of this information. Results We specifically use two examples to highlight potential military implications of the return of secondary findings. Conclusion Clinicians and researchers are strongly encouraged to consider the military implications of the return of results for informed consent of service members or their families undergoing clinical or research genomic sequencing. In this paper, we consider potential military‐specific implications of returning genomic sequencing secondary findings to ensure the proper protections, policies, and processes are in place for the use of this information. We specifically use two example conditions to highlight potential military implications of the return of secondary findings. Clinicians and researchers are strongly encouraged to consider the military implications of the return of results for informed consent of service members or their families undergoing clinical or research genomic sequencing.