Genetic Testing in Reproductive Medicine
Genetic testing is a diverse area of medicine and may include:
- Diagnostic testing to determine if an individual has a particular genetic condition
- Carrier testing to identify individuals who may pass a genetic condition on to their children
- Prenatal testing to determine whether a fetus is affected by a particular genetic condition
- Predictive testing to assess the risk of developing a disease later in life, such as certain types of cancer.
Negligence in Genetic Testing
Negligence in genetic testing can occur when a patient should have been advised to undergo testing and wasn’t, there is an error in the testing process, the incorrect test is performed, or the results are not adequately communicated to the patient.
It may result in misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, meaning that patients may proceed with a pregnancy when they otherwise would not have.
As patients generally place a significant amount of trust in the accuracy of these tests, often making decisions about their family planning, negligent genetic testing may result in significant loss, anxiety and emotional distress.
A medical negligence claim for failure to properly carry out genetic testing results can be complex and will involve several key issues that need careful consideration.
In particular, expert evidence is particularly important in this field in determining whether genetic testing was correctly performed and, in instances of negligence, what advice or treatment would have been given to the patient if the testing was performed correctly.
At The Law Office of Conrad Curry, we have extensive experience in acting for individuals who have been affected by negligent genetic testing.
If you have been affected by negligence in genetic testing, you can call us on 1300 808 933 or book an appointment online.
