Ordering molecular genetic tests: Clinician considerations and precautions

Molecular genetic testing including targeted panels, whole-exome sequencing (WES), whole-genome sequencing, and somatic mutation analysis is increasingly becoming pivotal in clinical medicine. These tools aid in diagnosis, prognosis, treatment selection, and familial risk assessment. However, effective test utilization requires careful attention to analytical validity, clinical utility, informed consent, result interpretation, and ethical, legal, and societal implications. This review outlines clinician-oriented considerations and precautions across the pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases of testing, emphasizing multidisciplinary interpretation, patient-centered counseling, and the evolving governance landscape.