Human genome sequencing studies can uncover genetic variants that have potential medical implications for the donor participants (known as incidental findings). In these cases, there is debate about whether the affected participants should be informed, as such knowledge can cause distress but can also enable beneficial early medical intervention. Lawrence et al. assessed the likely frequency of incidental findings by carrying out exome sequencing of 543 individuals (from 159 families) and analysing the set of 56 genes that the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) recommends for reporting pathogenic variants to participants. Reportable variants were identified in 5.0% of individuals (8.8% of families) — a higher value than that found in two previous studies (~1.0–3.4% of individuals) — although the authors highlighted experimental and bioinformatic sources of variability in the calling of pathogenic variants. In a separate study, Bollinger et al. used an online survey of ~1,500 people to determine public preferences for receiving incidental findings; 78% said that they would be interested in receiving incidental findings if they were participants in a hypothetical genetic research study. The respondents prioritized receiving results that concern risk of serious or treatable diseases, and at no financial cost.