Birds of a Feather? Genetic Counseling, Genetic Testing, and Humanism.

Publication Title

Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2-2020

Keywords

Genetic Counseling; Genetic Testing; Humanism; Humans; washington; seattle; swedish cancer; genomics

Abstract

Humanism is a philosophy that emphasizes rational, scientific, and empiric analysis of the world we live in to improve the physical, social, and psychological life of humanity. Although individual genetic counselors may or may not identify as humanists, genetic counseling and genetic testing are primarily humanistic endeavors because they are situated in the context of humanistic medicine in the westernized world. Humanistic goals are also implicit and explicit in the profession and practice of genetic counselors. This review examines the relationship between humanism and genetic counseling, highlighting situations in which the two may be discordant, and suggests ways that genetic counselors can reconcile these discordances.

Clinical Institute

Cancer

Specialty

Oncology

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