Ethical and legal implications of genetic testing in traumatology and orthopedics

The field of medicine has traditionally focused on such symptoms of a disease as pain, inflammation, and tissue deformity. However, according to the modern approach, it is necessary to identify the cause of the disease, which is often hidden deep inside the body. Examining genetic polymorphism as the basis for purulent complications after treatment of the lower limb injury was one of the method that could solve the problem. Epidemiological observations confirm that purulent complications after orthopedic surgery are associated with hereditary predisposition factors. This highlights the important role of genetic changes in development and course of this pathology. However, any medical intervention is associated with potential risks, including emotional pain of the patient, violation of personal data confidentiality and misuse of the obtained information. That is why it is important to think in advance about the possible consequences of genetic tests and to find ways how to resolve ethical issues.