Nearly two-thirds of respondents to a recent GEN poll are optimistic that the U.S. Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues will prove either very helpful (34.1%) or somewhat helpful (31.8%) in setting guidelines for the ethical use of whole genome sequencing in the clinical setting. Another 29.5% said the presidential panel would prove to be “not very” help.

The bioethics commission is grappling with many ethical issues arising from the potential of increased use of whole genome sequencing in clinical care. The panel plans to discuss its recommendations publicly and come to consensus views at its August meeting. The recommendations are to be finalized in a report to President Barack Obama that is expected to be completed this fall.

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