Ms Serene Ong1
1National University Of Singapore
Genetic testing is often used in combination with other tools such as family history to diagnose hereditary conditions. Family history as understood in the clinical setting is a record of medical information about family members. This talk discusses an alternative epistemic concept of family history, focusing on the socioemotional role family history plays for patients and family members in the context of actionable hereditary conditions.
While genetic testing has only been around for a few decades, family history has been around since humans were able to notice patterns of diseases in their kin. Unsurprisingly, the familial dimension of the condition brings to the fore the genetic as well as the socioemotional relationships family members share. This knowledge can create expectations and surprises; patients accept or doubt professional diagnoses by corroborating with family history. Importantly, family history also comprises the stories family members tell — it is support, advice, and understanding from kin in the same boat. In conclusion, family history is a resource of experiential knowledge that prepares patients, providing not only caution but also hope for newly diagnosed patients.
Biography:
Serene is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore. Her PhD research focuses on the disclosure of genetic risk information to family members. Other research interests include ethical issues arising from emerging technologies such as AI, data-sharing, and precision medicine.