Genetics: advocating for the rights of all individuals to informed decision making and voluntary action.

This is the fourth article in a series describing how nurses can develop their confidence and competence in genetics and genomics health care. The focus of this article is the right of the individual to make an informed choice, to be supported to make that choice and to do so in a voluntary manner. Nurses are well placed to support patients who may be considering genetic testing and are often responsible for gaining their consent for such investigations. It is essential that they provide balanced information in a way that the patient can understand and are able to explain the different options and possible outcomes of genetic tests, while considering the wider implications this may have on the patient's family.