Trust and the ethical challenges in the use of whole genome sequencing for tuberculosis surveillance: a qualitative study of stakeholder perspectives.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Emerging genomic technologies promise more efficient infectious disease control. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is increasingly being used in tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis, surveillance, and epidemiology. However, while the use of WGS by public health agencies may raise ethical, legal, and socio-political concerns, these challenges are poorly understood. METHOD:Between November 2017 and April 2018, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 22 key stakeholders across the fields of governance and policy, public health, and laboratory sciences representing the major jurisdictions currently using WGS in national TB programs. Thematic analysis of the interviews was conducted using NVivo 11. RESULTS:Respondents identified several ethical and practical challenges associated with WGS in

SUBMITTER: Jackson C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6610958 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature