Geller, Gail, Sc.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics and the Bioethics Institute
B.S., Cornell University, 1976
MHS, The Johns Hopkins University, 1979
Sc.D., The Johns Hopkins University, 1988

Main Interests:

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

Contact Information:

Gail Geller, ScD

550 N. Broadway,
Suite 511 Baltimore, MD 21205

Phone: (410) 955-7894
Fax: (410) 955-0241
E-Mail: ggeller@jhmi.edu

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"