Ubuntu philosophy and the consensus regarding incidental findings in genomic research: a heuristic approach.
This study adopts a heuristic technique to argue the thesis that a set of norms rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu can usefully supplement current research guidelines for dealing with incidental findings discovered in genomic research. The consensus regarding incidental findings is that there is an ethical obligation to return individual genetic incidental findings that meet the threshold of analytic and clinical validity, have clinical utility, and are actionable, provided that research contributors have not opted out from receiving such information. This study outlines the hurdles that may hinder the integration of this consensus in mainstream clinical practice, and shows how an ethical theory from the global south may be used to address the same. This will advance the field of ethical, legal and social issues of personalized medicine by providing exposure to the under-represented African perspective on the ethical, legal, and social issues of genomics.
['Ewuoso|Cornelius|C|http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7219-5554']
D032921:Consensus D028663:Ethical Theory D005817:Genetic Counseling D023281:Genomics D017408:Guidelines as Topic D000066506:Heuristics D006801:Humans D033162:Incidental Findings D028681:Moral Obligations D010686:Philosophy, Medical
Ubuntu philosophy Incidental findings Genomic research Heuristic Ancillary obligations