Examples Of Ethical Dilemmas In Genetic Testing
Genetic Ethical Dilemmas
Finding out that you are having a baby is supposed to be one of the most exciting times of your life. I cannot imagine how worried Erin and Dan were when they found out that Dan was a carrier of Huntington’s disease (HD). I can only imagine how heart wrenching it would be to find out that the baby has a 50% chance of acquiring the mutated gene for HD and that there is no cure. While Dan informs his doctor of the results of his genetic test, however he fails to mention anything to his immediate family and his own sister dies three years later. Dan’s brother, Larry, is also trying to get life insurance unaware that he may be a carrier of HD and happens to see the same physician as Dan. Ethical considerations …show more content…
It is important for healthcare providers to know the ethical dilemmas that will arise when an individual tests positive for a genetic disease such as HD. Since there is no cure for HD, counseling should be readily available to help the individual process their thoughts and emotions (Arribas-Ayllon, 2011). In Erin and Dan’s case, they will need counseling in regards to Dan’s genetic condition and the potential of their baby inheriting HD. Erin and Dan should be discouraged from having the baby tested prenatally as it takes away the baby’s future right to know and could possibly cause psychological stress (Arribas-Ayllon, 2011). Dan also has the right to confidentiality, so why it may seem wiser that he tells his siblings that he will get HD; it is ultimately his decision to inform others about his test results (Arribas-Ayllon, 2011). The results should not be released to third parties, unless informed consent is completed beforehand (Arribas-Ayllon, 2011). The physician does not have any obligation to report Dan’s results to Larry’s future insurance company because it is against the law for him to do so without written consent. The insurance company also did not require a genetic test from Larry and as far as Larry is concerned, he is unaware of any family history of HD, so the physician would not even mention it to Larry. GINA will ensure that insurance companies and employers do not discriminate against Erin, Dan, their baby, and Larry regardless of their genetic test results and
Finding out that you are having a baby is supposed to be one of the most exciting times of your life. I cannot imagine how worried Erin and Dan were when they found out that Dan was a carrier of Huntington’s disease (HD). I can only imagine how heart wrenching it would be to find out that the baby has a 50% chance of acquiring the mutated gene for HD and that there is no cure. While Dan informs his doctor of the results of his genetic test, however he fails to mention anything to his immediate family and his own sister dies three years later. Dan’s brother, Larry, is also trying to get life insurance unaware that he may be a carrier of HD and happens to see the same physician as Dan. Ethical considerations …show more content…
It is important for healthcare providers to know the ethical dilemmas that will arise when an individual tests positive for a genetic disease such as HD. Since there is no cure for HD, counseling should be readily available to help the individual process their thoughts and emotions (Arribas-Ayllon, 2011). In Erin and Dan’s case, they will need counseling in regards to Dan’s genetic condition and the potential of their baby inheriting HD. Erin and Dan should be discouraged from having the baby tested prenatally as it takes away the baby’s future right to know and could possibly cause psychological stress (Arribas-Ayllon, 2011). Dan also has the right to confidentiality, so why it may seem wiser that he tells his siblings that he will get HD; it is ultimately his decision to inform others about his test results (Arribas-Ayllon, 2011). The results should not be released to third parties, unless informed consent is completed beforehand (Arribas-Ayllon, 2011). The physician does not have any obligation to report Dan’s results to Larry’s future insurance company because it is against the law for him to do so without written consent. The insurance company also did not require a genetic test from Larry and as far as Larry is concerned, he is unaware of any family history of HD, so the physician would not even mention it to Larry. GINA will ensure that insurance companies and employers do not discriminate against Erin, Dan, their baby, and Larry regardless of their genetic test results and