Ainsley Newson^1
1Sydney Health Ethics, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Genetic and genomic testing are widely accepted to give rise to ethical issues. Yet what is an ethical issue? And what role should ethical considerations play in determining how and when genetic and genomic testing are offered and used? In this presentation, I will consider these questions. I will begin by describing the field of bioethics and the types of questions that are asked and answered within it, and with what methods. Using selected case studies, I will then consider some current pressing issues arising from genetic and genomic testing, driven by key developments such as advances in sequencing techniques, mainstreaming and uses outside clinical care. I will conclude with some consideration as to where ethical analysis can be used in the genetic and genomic testing process, and claim that ethical analysis remains inherent to appropriate use of genetic and genomic testing, even when its outcomes can challenge us, make us uncomfortable. 

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