Gail Geller, Sc.D., M.H.S.

Gail Geller, Sc.D.

Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Department of Medicine and
Berman Institute of Bioethics

Education:

B.S., Cornell University, 1976
MHS, The Johns Hopkins University, 1979
Sc.D., The Johns Hopkins University, 1988

Main Interests:

Over the last decade, I have been Principal Investigator or co-investigator on several ELSI grants investigating the ethical and psychosocial implications of the Human Genome Project. I have been a member of two NIH Consortia: the Cancer Genetics Studies Consortium and the Informed Consent Consortium, and co-chaired the Task Force on Informed Consent for Cancer Susceptibility Testing. In addition to research, I am involved in the training of genetic counseling students and doctoral students who are studying ELSI- related issues. I am currently a Consultant to the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing: Informed Consent/IRB Working Group; and the Consensus Panel on "Emerging Ethical Issues in Smoking and Genetics"

Research Interests:

Ethical and psychosocial implications of genetics
Incorporation of genetic susceptibility testing into primary care, specifically informed consent,
provider-patient communication of probabilistic information and the impact of genetic information on the family
Medical socialization and education, specifically the incorporation of training that addresses
provider communication under conditions of uncertainty
Research ethics, including the involvement of children in research
Cross-cultural comparisons
Link: Johns Hopkins University Bioethics Institute

Educational Activities:

Core Faculty Member/Advisor in Genetic Counseling Training Program (a joint Program of the
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and NHGRI)
Course Director, "Ethical & Sociocultural Issues in Genetic & Reproductive Technologies",
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Lecture on Ethical Issues in Genetics in "Ethics of Health Care", Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
Lecture on Ethical Issues in Cancer Genetics Research in "Epidemiologic and Preventive Aspects
of Cancer", Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Member, Institute of Genetic Medicine Subcommittee on Education

Recognition and Leadership Roles:

Senior Fellowship - Green Center for the Study of Science and Society - U. of Texas at Dallas,
1996
Shannon Award - National Institutes of Health, 1993
Chateaubriand Fellowship - French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1990-1991
Delta Omega - Public Health Honor Society, 1989
Sigma Xi Honor Society - Johns Hopkins University, 1989

Publications:

Geller G, Tambor ES, Chase GA, Holtzman NA: Measuring physicians' tolerance for ambiguity and its relationship to their reported practices regarding genetic testing. Med Care 31:989-100, 1993. Abstract
Geller G, Tambor ES, Bernhardt BA, Chase GA, Hofman KJ, Faden RR, Holtzman NA: Physicians' attitudes toward disclosure of genetic information to third parties. J Law Med Ethics Summer 21:238-240, 1993. Abstract
Geller G, Tambor ES, Chase GA, Hofman KJ, Faden RR, Holtzman NA: Incorporation of genetics into primary care practice: Will physicians do the counseling and will they be directive. Arch Fam Med 2:1119-1125 , 1993. Abstract
Geller G, Holtzman NA: A qualitative assessment of primary care physicians' perceptions about the ethical and social implications of offering genetic testing. Qual Health Res 5:97-116, 1995.
Geller G, Strauss M, Bernhardt BA, Holtzman NA: "Decoding" informed consent: Insights from women regarding genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility. Hastings Cent Rep 27:28-33, 1997. Abstract
Geller G, Botkin JR, Green MJ, Press N, Biesecker BB, Wilfond B, et al: Genetic testing for susceptibility to adult-onset cancer: The process and content of informed consent. JAMA 277:1467-1474, 1997. Abstract
Geller G, Bernhardt BA, Doksum T, Helzlsouer KA, Wilcox P, Holtzman NA: Decision-making about breast cancer susceptibility testing: How similar are the attitudes of physicians, nurse practitioners and at-risk women. J Clin Onc 16:2868-2876, 1998. Abstract
Geller G, Doksum T, Bernhardt BA, Metz SA: Participation in breast cancer susceptibility testing protocols: The influence of recruitment source, altruism and family involvement on women's decisions. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 8(2of2):377-383, 1999. Abstract
Geller G, Tambor ES, Bernhardt BA, Wissow LS, Fraser G: Mothers and daughters from breast cancer families: A qualitative study of their perceptions of the risks and benefits associated with minors' participation in genetic susceptibility research. J Am Med Womens Assoc 55(5):280-4, 293, 2000. Abstract
Tambor ES, Bernhardt BA, Rodgers J, Holtzman NA, Geller G: Mapping the human genome: An assessment of media coverage and public reaction. Genet Med 4(1):31-6, 2002. Abstract