SYMPOSIUM ON CONSENT AND CONFIDENTIALITY Consent and confidentiality in genetics: whose information is it anyway?

Against a background of increasing regulation regarding access to medical information and the pres-entation of patients ’ confidentiality, the case of genetic information raises interesting questions about whether the application of general rules is appropriate in all situations. Whilst all genetic information is not equally sensitive, some of it is highly predictive. It also allows deductions to be made about other family members. It may not be regarded as particularly sensitive when compared to other types of medical information and those to whom it applies may not be as anxious about preserving their confi-dentiality as compared with—for example, the prospect of seeing research into cause and cures for rare diseases put in hand. These distinctions also find resonance with the general public. Resolving conflicting tensions will require subtlety, not a blunt “one size fits all ” model. Against a background in which trust in the professional-ism of clinicians and scientists has been shaken by anumber of well publicised abuses, it is timely to discuss the issues of consent and confidentiality and the ways in which proper respect can be given to the wishes of those who seek medical treatment or who wish to participate in biomedical research. The failure of existing regulatory mechanisms at Bristol