Session 3: Psychosocial Impact and Understanding of Genomic Technologies for Patients, Families, and the Public
Monday, 20 April, 2015 - 08:30 to 10:30
Psychosocial impacts of genetic testing: Were our concerns warranted?
Professor, Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Navigating the double helix: Challenges and solutions for integrating genomics into primary care
Associate Professor and Clinician Scientist , Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
Public deliberation as integration of genomic science into policy and social life
Professor and Chair in Biomedical Ethics, Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia
The psychosocial impact of genomic technologies spans affective, cognitive and behavioural domains, as genomic-related information can influence how people feel, think, and act. This session will present research that highlights this broad range of psychosocial impact. Examples include public and professional understanding of genomic technologies and personalized medicine, family communication about genetic disorders and new genomic technologies, and the impact of genomic information on health behaviors and public health outcomes. Patient and professional decision-making about genomic information, including testing decisions, as well as coping and living with genomic information in families may also be highlighted.