Abstract
A survey of 2903 geneticists in 37 nations, using case vignettes, showed that privacy is of less concern in most of the world than in North America. The majority would tell an individual's relatives about a genetic diagnosis, against the individual's wishes, if the relatives asked. Many did not regard this as a breach of confidentiality. In the United States, there was no consensus; about half would preserve confidentiality. U.S. genetics patients showed less concern about privacy than geneticists. Both groups approved keeping DNA on permanent file for persons charged with serious crimes. There was worldwide consensus against giving genetic information to employers and insurers, but most regarded genetic discrimination as a peculiarly U.S. problem. Virtually all geneticist reports of denials of insurance or employment for asymptomatic persons came from the United States.
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