Ethical, Legal, Psychosocial, and Cultural Implications of Genomics for Oncology Nurses

ObjectivesTo summarize the role of oncology nurses in the ethical, legal, psychosocial, and cultural issues inherent in genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk and to describe the recent trend and implications of direct-to-consumer genetic tests.Data SourcesPublished articles/books, legal rulings, professional organization statements.ConclusionsEthical, legal, psychosocial, and cultural implications are inherent in the growing field of genetic science that is transforming modern health care.Implications for Nursing PracticeNurses have a duty to be knowledgeable about and advocate for the ethical integration of genetic/genomic information into their patient’s health care.