Abstracts
Abstract
This study assesses the legal and ethical frameworks for genetic testing in Lebanon, with a particular focus on paternity testing. Information collected from 16 laboratories revealed that paternity testing is performed solely in the four laboratories accredited by the Ministry of Public Health, but only half of the tests are made through the court. Interestingly, one laboratory does not require the parents’ consent prior to paternity testing, and individuals are generally not informed about the possibility of misattributed paternity (73.3%) or disease predispositions (53.3%). Moreover, the disclosure of incidental findings is done by only 37.5% of laboratories. Unfortunately, genetic findings are communicated in the absence of a psychologist in 90% of cases. When deemed necessary, results are shared in 12.5% of cases with other health professionals, without the consent of the patient. Our study highlights the need to develop comprehensive guidelines and regulations that cover paternity testing in Lebanon.
Keywords:
- genetic testing,
- paternity testing,
- ethics,
- law,
- Lebanon
Résumé
Cette étude évalue les cadres juridiques et éthiques des tests génétiques au Liban, en mettant l’accent sur les tests de paternité. Les informations recueillies auprès de 16 laboratoires ont révélé que les tests de paternité sont effectués uniquement dans les quatre laboratoires accrédités par le ministère de la santé publique, mais que seulement la moitié des tests sont effectués par l’intermédiaire du tribunal. Il est intéressant de noter qu’un laboratoire n’exige pas le consentement des parents avant le test de paternité et que les personnes ne sont généralement pas informées de la possibilité d’une paternité mal attribuée (73,3 %) ou d’une prédisposition à des maladies (53,3 %). En outre, seuls 37,5 % des laboratoires divulguent les résultats fortuits. Malheureusement, les résultats génétiques sont communiqués en l’absence d’un psychologue dans 90 % des cas. Lorsqu’ils sont jugés nécessaires, les résultats sont communiqués dans 12,5 % des cas à d’autres professionnels de la santé, sans le consentement du patient. Notre étude met en évidence la nécessité d’élaborer des lignes directrices et des réglementations complètes concernant les tests de paternité au Liban.
Mots-clés :
- tests génétiques,
- tests de paternité,
- éthique,
- droit,
- Liban
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Appendices
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