Catholic health care called to influence future of genetic testing

Published: 2005-06-08

SAN DIEGO (CNS) -- The coming revolution in genetic testing will transform the practice of medicine, and Catholic health care must be prepared to influence how the changes take place, an expert in genomics told a Catholic Health Association workshop June 6. Carl L. Middleton, vice president of ethics and theology at Catholic Health Initiatives in Denver, has been guiding his health system through a five-year process of education and planning about genomics, which he defined as "the study of genes that are the units of inheritance." "Catholic health care facilities have a unique opportunity to participate in dialogue and apply our spiritual values and ethical principles to genetic testing issues," Middleton said. "It is through such reflection and discourse that we will come to a new understanding of our healing ministry in an age of genetics."

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