Incidental findings in clinical genomics: a clarification

Disclaimer: This guideline is designed primarily as an educational resource for clinical and laboratory geneticists to help them provide quality medical services. Adherence to this guideline is completely voluntary and does not necessarily ensure a successful medical outcome. This guideline should not be considered inclusive of all proper procedures and tests or exclusive of other procedures and tests that are reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. In determining the propriety of any specific procedure or test, the geneticist should apply his or her own professional judgment to the specific clinical circumstances presented by the individual patient or specimen. Clinical and laboratory geneticists are encouraged to document the reasons for the use of a particular procedure or test, whether or not it is in conformance with this guideline. They also are advised to take notice of the date this guideline was adopted and to consider other medical and scientific information that becomes available after that date. It also would be prudent to consider whether intellectual property interests may restrict the performance of certain tests and other procedures.