Genetic tests are trendy diagnostic studies these days, with much publicized “spit parties” in the NY Times, and TIME Magazine anointing them the best “invention” of 2008.

More worrisome is how these tests can make doctors vulnerable to a new wave of lawsuits (via Eye on DNA). Examples include suing physicians for not providing enough genetic testing, failing to warn patients of shared familial genetic risk of disease, or not ordering genetic tests prior to prescribing medications.

Hsien-Hsien Lei suggests increasing the number of genetic counselors to deal with the glut of genetic test results. Doctors are often ill-equipped to deal with the consequences of these tests, and often will refer patients to genetic counselors to deal with the repercussions.

topics: genetic, malpractice