Facilitating ethical preparedness in genomic medicine (360G-Wellcome-208053_Z_17_Z)

This collaborative research programme will combine empirical bioethical research, conceptual, and theoretical analysis to examine the issue of ethical preparedness in the context of genomic medicine, and to inform and develop relevant policies for practice. We will conduct our research as genomic approaches to diagnosis and treatment, such as the 100,000 genome project, become embedded within health care. We will focus on the extent to which professionals are prepared for navigating the ethical issues within the new working environment of clinical genomics; one where research and clinical practice are more co-dependent than in the past, and where responsibilities of care, both to one person over time as well as to their current and future relatives are changing. The programme will utilise a range of research methods across a variety of settings to map the experience of practitioners, patients and participants in genomic medicine, the ethical issues they confront, and the impact on practice when these are challenging of their established practice, be that at the stage of recruitment/ introduction, diagnosis (or lack of), treatment, surveillance, longer term contact or need for contact of other .