Guidance on patient confidentiality and genetic diseases

September 29, 2009

New guidance released by the UK General Medical Council (GMC) says that doctors may in some circumstances share confidential genetic information about patients with their relatives against the wishes of the patient. The guidance recognises that the obligation of confidentiality is not always absolute, and that information about an individual may be disclosed without their consent if (and only if) it is necessary to prevent serious harm to another person. (PHG Foundation)