The ethics of conducting molecular autopsies in cases of sudden death in the young

• NCJ Number: 255709
• Journal: Genome Research Volume: 26 Issue: 9 Dated: 2016 Pages: 1165-1169
• Author(s): Amy L. McGuire; Quianta Moore; Mary Majumber; Magdalena Walkiewicz; Chistine M. Eng; John W. Belmont; Salma Nassef; Sandra Darilek; Katie Rutherford; Stacey PEREIRA1; Steven E. Scherer; V. Reid Sutton; Dwayne Wolf; Richard A. Gibbs; Roger Kahn; Luis A. Sanchez
• Date Published: 2016
• Length: 5 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2010-DN-BX-K230
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Award: Genetic Markers Associated with Sudden Unexplained Death or Sudden Infant Death

Annotation

This article details genomic analysis as a methodology that can detect heritable conditions related to the sudden death of young individuals. 

Abstract

Genomic analysis has become increasingly important in clarifying the contribution of heritable conditions related to the sudden death of young individuals and potentially preventing sudden death in biological relatives. As molecular autopsies become integrated into death investigations conducted by medical examiners and coroners, it is essential that they be conducted ethically and in accordance with relevant law. The authors hope that the recommendations generated by their multidisciplinary consortium will stimulate a more robust national discussion and contribute to the development of consensus standards for the more routine integration of molecular autopsies in cases of sudden death in the young.