ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief account of genetics and explores a medical review of genetic disorders and genetic testing, as well as a review of the psychological impact genetic information has on patients and their relationships with relatives. It examines the available definitions of the family in English law and identifies the interests of the parties in knowing and not knowing genetic information. Genetic information affects familial relationships. The availability of information within a family can establish or destroy social relationships between relatives. The interests discussed with regard to patients apply to family members also. They may have an interest in knowing genetic information, and when gaining the information they may want to keep it in confidence. The effect genetic information has on patients' self-image suggests that they view themselves as socially embedded. Genetic information has a considerable effect on the individual patient.
