Original Article

Volume: 2 | Issue: 2 | Published: Jan 07, 2020 | Pages: 116 - 121 | DOI: 10.24911/JBCGenetics/183-1563863536

Attitudes of geneticists and patients toward incidental findings in Saudi Arabia

Authors: Taghrid Aloraini , Alya Abdulrahim , Gulsan A. Karbani

Article Info

Authors

Taghrid Aloraini

Department of Genetic Counselling, Alfaisal University

Alya Abdulrahim

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Gulsan A. Karbani

Department of Genetic Counselling, Alfaisal University

Publication History

Received: July 23, 2019

Revised: September 20, 2019

Accepted: October 07, 2019

Published: January 07, 2020

Abstract

Background: In Middle East countries, including Saudi Arabia, 60%–70% of all marriages occur between first cousins, leading to uniquely common genetic disorders compared to Western countries. The primary objective of this study is to investigate differences between the attitudes of genetics professionals and patients toward incidental findings identified through whole-genome sequencing (WGS)/whole exome sequencing (WES). Methodology: A mixed qualitative and quantitative cross-sectional study was done to assess the ethical dilemmas and challenges faced in providing genetic information to Saudi patients attending a genetics clinic. A webbased survey was used to interview the participants. A total of 50 subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, including 20 genetics professionals (MG: medical geneticists and GC: genetic counselors) and 30 patients who were interviewed before and after Next-Generation Sequencing tests. Results: Among the total, 55% of genetic professionals disagreed on patients being provided with their genetic results and raw data, and they preferred focusing on actionable results that yield benefits such as medical treatment and disease prevention. However, the majority of patients (73.3%) were interested in receiving all the raw genomic data for themselves and their children, while 26.7% felt opposite. Conclusion: This study identified differences in the attitudes of genetics professionals and patients toward the reporting of incidental findings from WES/WGS. Overall, the results suggested that GCand MGshould be aware of variations in individual preferences and should respect the beliefs and preferences of their patients.

Keywords: WES, WGS, incidental findings, attitudes, genetics professionals, patients

Open access Creative Commons License

Pubmed Style

Taghrid Aloraini, Alya Abdulrahim, Gulsan A. Karbani. Attitudes of geneticists and patients toward incidental findings in Saudi Arabia. JBC Genetics. 2020; 07 (January 2020): 116-121. doi:10.24911/JBCGenetics/183-1563863536

Web Style

Taghrid Aloraini, Alya Abdulrahim, Gulsan A. Karbani. Attitudes of geneticists and patients toward incidental findings in Saudi Arabia. https://www.jbcgenetics.com/articles/2182 [Access: April 27, 2025]. doi:10.24911/JBCGenetics/183-1563863536

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Taghrid Aloraini, Alya Abdulrahim, Gulsan A. Karbani. Attitudes of geneticists and patients toward incidental findings in Saudi Arabia. JBC Genetics. 2020; 07 (January 2020): 116-121. doi:10.24911/JBCGenetics/183-1563863536

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Taghrid Aloraini, Alya Abdulrahim, Gulsan A. Karbani. Attitudes of geneticists and patients toward incidental findings in Saudi Arabia. JBC Genetics. (2020), [cited April 27, 2025]; 07 (January 2020): 116-121. doi:10.24911/JBCGenetics/183-1563863536

Harvard Style

Taghrid Aloraini, Alya Abdulrahim, Gulsan A. Karbani (2020) Attitudes of geneticists and patients toward incidental findings in Saudi Arabia. JBC Genetics, 07 (January 2020): 116-121. doi:10.24911/JBCGenetics/183-1563863536

Chicago Style

Taghrid Aloraini, Alya Abdulrahim, Gulsan A. Karbani. "Attitudes of geneticists and patients toward incidental findings in Saudi Arabia." 07 (2020), 116-121. doi:10.24911/JBCGenetics/183-1563863536

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Taghrid Aloraini, Alya Abdulrahim, Gulsan A. Karbani. "Attitudes of geneticists and patients toward incidental findings in Saudi Arabia." 07.January 2020 (2020), 116-121. Print. doi:10.24911/JBCGenetics/183-1563863536

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Taghrid Aloraini, Alya Abdulrahim, Gulsan A. Karbani (2020) Attitudes of geneticists and patients toward incidental findings in Saudi Arabia. , 07 (January 2020), 116-121. doi:10.24911/JBCGenetics/183-1563863536