While genetics is a field with great potential, patients may refrain from donating their genetic information for various reasons. Since it concerns the privacy of one's personal information, it is, without doubt, a cautious step to take. There are various consequences that follow the breaching of one's privacy of genetic information; issues with insurance, personal relationships, etc. Thus, researchers of genomics must always be mindful about the ethics of genomic research.
For more information, refer to this article.
Jayanthi Mathaiyan, Adithan Chandrasekaran, Sanish Davis.
Perspect Clin Res. 2013.