children-whole-genome-sequencing

children-whole-genome-sequencing

In a recent video, we outlined the pros and cons of whole exome sequencing in children and newborns, currently a controversial topic in the field of genetics. After all, there is still a lot that scientists and healthcare providers don’t know about the effects of test results on children later in life.

This week, a study published in Public Health Genomics added a new voice to the conversation –
parents. The study finds that parents are more interested in knowing kids’ genomic health risks than not. It also finds that parents are more interested than non-parents in being testing themselves.

“Among both parents and non-parents, 58.6 percent of the survey respondents were interested in whole genome sequencing (WGS) for themselves. Among parents, 61.8 percent were interested in WGS for themselves and 57.8 percent were interested in WGS for their youngest children,” says GenomeWeb.

This data contributes to the growing conversation about the risks and benefits of whole exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing in patients.

Photo by Mamma Loves, via Flickr