Your Rights as a Parent When It Comes to Genetic Testing

Choosing to pursue genetic testing for your child is a significant decision — and it should feel like a decision that belongs to you. As a parent or legal guardian, you have meaningful rights throughout the entire testing process. Understanding those rights is part of making a genuinely informed choice.

You control the decision to test

Genetic testing is voluntary. There is no obligation to proceed, and deciding not to test is a legitimate choice that your care team and GeneSprout will fully respect. If you decide that genetic testing isn’t right for your family right now, that decision stands — and it can always be revisited later.

You have the right to take your time

There is no deadline on the decision to test. You can take as long as you need to read, research, ask questions, and talk with your child’s pediatrician, your partner, or others you trust. Informed consent is not meaningful if it’s rushed.

If you’ve already started the process and find yourself wanting more time before proceeding — that’s completely fine. The right decision is the one you feel genuinely ready to make.

If you have already provided consent and requested a test, you retain the right to withdraw that consent before your child’s sample is processed. Once a sample has been analyzed, results cannot be un-generated — but up until that point, you can change your mind.

You choose what results you receive

Not every family wants every possible type of result. Genetic testing can surface information about a wide range of conditions, and you have the right to decide what kinds of findings you want to be informed about. This is something worth discussing with a genetic counselor before testing begins, so that your preferences are understood and respected.

You have the right to genetic counseling

Regardless of your results, you have the right to speak with a genetic counselor — a specialist trained to help families understand genetic information and its implications. GeneSprout’s counselors are available to walk through findings with you, explain what results mean in practical terms, and help you decide on next steps. This is part of what GeneSprout provides, not an additional cost.

You can ask questions at any time

Before testing. During the consent process. After results arrive. At any point in the journey, you have the right to ask questions — and to expect clear, honest answers. No question is too basic. If something isn’t clear, ask again.

Taking it one step at a time

Parental rights around genetic testing can feel abstract until you’re actually in the middle of the process. The most important thing to know is this: the decisions are yours. GeneSprout’s role is to support you with information, expertise, and guidance — not to make choices on your behalf.

If you’re still working through whether genetic testing is right for your child, our Support & FAQs page covers many of the most common questions families have at this stage.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s health, speak with your pediatrician.