TY - JOUR
T1 - Unresolved ethical issues of genetic counseling and testing in clinical psychiatry
AU - Perry, Julia
AU - Bunnik, Eline
AU - Rietschel, Marcella
AU - Bentzen, Heidi Beate
AU - Ingvoldstad Malmgren, Charlotta
AU - Pawlak, Joanna
AU - Chaumette, Boris
AU - Tammimies, Kristiina
AU - Bialy, Filip
AU - Bizzarri, Virginia
AU - Borg, Isabella
AU - Coviello, Domenico
AU - Crepaz-Keay, David
AU - Ivanova, Eliza
AU - McQuillin, Andrew
AU - Mežinska, Signe
AU - Johansson Soller, Maria
AU - Suvisaari, Jaana
AU - Watson, Melanie
AU - Wirgenes, Katrine
AU - Wynn, Sarah L.
AU - Degenhardt, Franziska
AU - Schicktanz, Silke
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2025/2/5
Y1 - 2025/2/5
N2 - Objective: This position article discusses current major ethical and social issues related to genetic counseling and testing in clinical psychiatry (PsyGCT). Methods: To address these complex issues in the context of clinical psychiatry relevant to PsyGCT, the interdisciplinary and pan-European expert Network EnGagE (Enhancing Psychiatric Genetic Counseling, Testing, and Training in Europe; CA17130) was established in 2018. We conducted an interdisciplinary, international workshop at which we identified gaps across European healthcare services and research in PsyGCT; the workshop output was summarized and systematized for this position article. Results: Four main unresolved ethical topics were identified as most relevant for the implementation of PsyGCT: (1) the problematic dualism between somatic and psychiatric disorders, (2) the impact of genetic testing on stigma, (3) fulfilling professional responsibilities, and (4) ethical issues in public health services. We provide basic recommendations to inform psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals involved in the clinical implementation of PsyGCT and conclude by pointing to avenues of future ethics research in PsyGCT. Conclusion: This article draws attention to a set of unresolved ethical issues relevant for mental health professionals, professionals within clinical genetics, patients and their family members, and society as a whole and stresses the need for more interdisciplinary exchange to define standards in psychiatric counseling as well as in public communication. The use of PsyGCT may, in the future, expand and include genetic testing for additional psychiatric diagnoses. We advocate the development of pan-European ethical standards addressing the four identified areas of ethical-practical relevance in PsyGCT.
AB - Objective: This position article discusses current major ethical and social issues related to genetic counseling and testing in clinical psychiatry (PsyGCT). Methods: To address these complex issues in the context of clinical psychiatry relevant to PsyGCT, the interdisciplinary and pan-European expert Network EnGagE (Enhancing Psychiatric Genetic Counseling, Testing, and Training in Europe; CA17130) was established in 2018. We conducted an interdisciplinary, international workshop at which we identified gaps across European healthcare services and research in PsyGCT; the workshop output was summarized and systematized for this position article. Results: Four main unresolved ethical topics were identified as most relevant for the implementation of PsyGCT: (1) the problematic dualism between somatic and psychiatric disorders, (2) the impact of genetic testing on stigma, (3) fulfilling professional responsibilities, and (4) ethical issues in public health services. We provide basic recommendations to inform psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals involved in the clinical implementation of PsyGCT and conclude by pointing to avenues of future ethics research in PsyGCT. Conclusion: This article draws attention to a set of unresolved ethical issues relevant for mental health professionals, professionals within clinical genetics, patients and their family members, and society as a whole and stresses the need for more interdisciplinary exchange to define standards in psychiatric counseling as well as in public communication. The use of PsyGCT may, in the future, expand and include genetic testing for additional psychiatric diagnoses. We advocate the development of pan-European ethical standards addressing the four identified areas of ethical-practical relevance in PsyGCT.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85218076609&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/YPG.0000000000000385
DO - 10.1097/YPG.0000000000000385
M3 - Article
C2 - 39945108
AN - SCOPUS:85218076609
SN - 0955-8829
VL - 35
SP - 26
EP - 36
JO - Psychiatric Genetics
JF - Psychiatric Genetics
IS - 2
M1 - 10.1097/YPG.0000000000000385
ER -
