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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2019 Oct 2.
Published in final edited form as: Semin Nephrol. 2017 Nov;37(6):552–557. doi: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2017.07.009

Table.

Pros and Cons of APOL1 Genetic Testing

Pros Cons
Evidence for decreased cadaveric transplant survival No evidence of decreased transplant survival based on recipient genotype
Increased risk of non-diabetic kidney ESRD No general population information regarding risk of developing ESRD with one or more genotypes
Societal benefit for transplant distribution Individual right to know or not know the results
Right of transplant recipient to know if living donor kidney has APOL1 genotypes No evidence that kidneys from living donors with APOL1 high risk genotypes have decreased kidney survival
Testing for APOL1 to institute preventive measures for development of kidney disease, such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes control No evidence to suggest that preventive measures decrease the risk of development of kidney disease among those with low or high risk APOL1 genotypes
Living donors have a right to know whether they might be at increased risk of kidney disease, based on their APOL1 genotype No evidence that unilateral nephrectomy increases the risk of development of CKD or ESRD in living kidney donors.
Piece of mind in known test results Increased anxiety, fear, and mistrust of the medical establishment, since evidence of risk is currently unknown