Genetic exceptionalism
Encyclopedia
Genetic exceptionalism is the belief that genetic information is special and must therefore be treated differently from other types of medical information.
For example, patients are able to obtain information about their blood pressure
without involving any medical professionals, but obtaining information about their genetic profile might require an order from a physician and expensive counseling sessions. Disclosure of an individual's genetic information or its meaning—for example, telling a person with red hair that she has a higher risk of skin cancer—has been legally restricted in some places as providing medical advice
.
This policy approach has been taken by state legislatures to safeguard individuals' genetic information in the United States from the individuals, their families, their employers, and the government. The approach builds upon the existing protection required of general health information provided by such regulations as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
For example, patients are able to obtain information about their blood pressure
Blood pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, and is one of the principal vital signs. When used without further specification, "blood pressure" usually refers to the arterial pressure of the systemic circulation. During each heartbeat, BP varies...
without involving any medical professionals, but obtaining information about their genetic profile might require an order from a physician and expensive counseling sessions. Disclosure of an individual's genetic information or its meaning—for example, telling a person with red hair that she has a higher risk of skin cancer—has been legally restricted in some places as providing medical advice
Medical advice
Medical advice is the giving of a formal professional opinion regarding what a specific individual should or should not do to restore or preserve health. Typically, medical advice involves giving a diagnosis, prescribing a treatment for medical condition....
.
This policy approach has been taken by state legislatures to safeguard individuals' genetic information in the United States from the individuals, their families, their employers, and the government. The approach builds upon the existing protection required of general health information provided by such regulations as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
See also
- HIV exceptionalismHIV exceptionalismHIV exceptionalism is the term given to the trend to treat AIDS differently from other diseases, including other sexually transmitted, infectious, lethal diseases in law and policy....
, similar rules for HIV/AIDS testing - Abortion exceptionalismAbortion exceptionalismAbortion exceptionalism is the idea that voluntary abortions are special, and therefore need to be treated differently in laws and policies compared to other medical procedures...