Episode 8: Sharing Genetic Results With Family - What Helps, What’s Hard, and Why It Matters with Associate Professor Belinda Dawson McClaren

When genetic testing reveals new information, the impact rarely stops with one person. In this episode, we’re joined by Associate Professor Belinda Dawson McClaren, researcher and academic at The University of Melbourne to explore how families share genetic information — and why these conversations can be complex, emotional, and deeply important.We discuss whether people have an obligation to tell relatives about genetic results, how family dynamics shape communication, and why timing matters. Drawing on research and clinical experience, Belinda and Ali unpack common challenges including guilt, anxiety, estrangement, and differing readiness to know.This conversation highlights the role of genetic counsellors in supporting families over time, the value of cascade testing, and why sharing genetic information is often an ongoing process rather than a single conversation.This episode is relevant for clinicians, patients, and families navigating genetic testing.