The ethics of using COVID-19 host genomic information for clinical and public health decision-making: A survey of US health professionals

Sheethal Jose; Gail Geller; Juli Bollinger; Debra Mathews; Jeffrey Kahn; Brian T. Garibaldi

HGG Advances (Jan 2024)

The ethics of using COVID-19 host genomic information for clinical and public health decision-making: A survey of US health professionals

Sheethal Jose,
Gail Geller,
Juli Bollinger,
Debra Mathews,
Jeffrey Kahn,
Brian T. Garibaldi

Affiliations

Sheethal Jose: Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Corresponding author
Gail Geller: Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Juli Bollinger: Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Debra Mathews: Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Jeffrey Kahn: Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Brian T. Garibaldi: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 5, no. 1
p. 100255

Abstract

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Summary: Several genetic variants linked to COVID-19 have been identified by host genomics researchers. Further advances in this research will likely play a role in the clinical management and public health control of future infectious disease outbreaks. The implementation of genetic testing to identify host genomic risk factors associated with infectious diseases raises several ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSIs). As an important stakeholder group, health professionals can provide key insights into these ELSI issues. In 2021, a cross-sectional online survey was fielded to US health professionals. The survey explored how they view the value and ethical acceptability of using COVID-19 host genomic information in three main decision-making settings: (1) clinical, (2) public health, and (3) workforce. The survey also assessed participants’ personal and professional experience with genomics and infectious diseases and collected key demographic data. A total of 603 participants completed the survey. A majority (84%) of participants agreed that it is ethically acceptable to use host genomics to make decisions about clinical care and 73% agreed that genetic screening has an important role to play in the public health control of COVID-19. However, more than 90% disagreed that it is ethically acceptable to use host genomics to deny resources or admission to individuals when hospital resources are scarce. Understanding stakeholder perspectives and anticipating ELSI issues will help inform policies for hospitals and public health departments to evaluate and perhaps adopt host genomic technologies in an ethically and socially responsible manner during future infectious disease outbreaks.

Published in HGG Advances

ISSN: 2666-2477 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General): Genetics
Website: https://www.cell.com/hgg-advances/home

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Abstract

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