Incidental Genetic Findings Discovered During Autopsy: An Ethical Analysis of Patient Confidentiality Post-Mortem.
| Title: | Incidental Genetic Findings Discovered During Autopsy: An Ethical Analysis of Patient Confidentiality Post-Mortem. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Ortiz B; University of Florida College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America.; Solberg LB; University of Florida College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America. |
| Source: | Ethics & behavior [Ethics Behav] 2025 Mar 17. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Mar 17. |
| Publication Model: | Ahead of Print |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9102086 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 1050-8422 (Print) Linking ISSN: 10508422 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Ethics Behav |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: Mahwah, NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; Original Publication: Hillsdale, N.J. : Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, c1991- |
| Abstract: | Protections for patient confidentiality during life prove essential for effective healthcare. However, post-mortem, these protections can cease. Postmortem, technological advancements enhance autopsy evaluations but also contribute to incidental findings during autopsy. An incidental finding, unrelated to the cause of death, can include genetic conditions which can have significant implications for family members of the deceased. The ethical and legal implications of disclosing incidental findings with genetic components to family members of a deceased patient are evaluated in this research and advance directives are explored as a possible solution to protecting patient confidentiality post-mortem. |
| References: | Med J Armed Forces India. 2005 Jul;61(3):258-63. (PMID: 27407773); Am J Med Genet A. 2020 Feb;182(2):314-321. (PMID: 31814270); J Med Ethics. 2006 Mar;32(3):143-7. (PMID: 16507657); Am J Prev Med. 2014 Jan;46(1):65-70. (PMID: 24355673); Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2001 Sep;125(9):1189-92. (PMID: 11520269); Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2003 May 15;119C(1):27-34. (PMID: 12704635); Virtual Mentor. 2012 Sep 01;14(9):720-3. (PMID: 23351351); J Surg Res. 2011 May 1;167(1):121-4. (PMID: 20031159); Acad Forensic Pathol. 2018 Sep;8(3):738-751. (PMID: 31240068) |
| Grant Information: | T35 HL007489 United States HL NHLBI NIH HHS |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Ethics; advance directive; autopsy; genetic; incidental findings |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20251020 Latest Revision: 20260318 |
| Update Code: | 20260318 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12533811 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/10508422.2025.2478389 |
| PMID: | 41111953 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article