Genetic Screening: Ethical Issues
Public policy
10.17 The threat of eugenic abuse of genetic screening requires safeguards. In a democracy, public understanding of human genetics should serve to create awareness of the dangers of eugenics, and of the possible stigmatisation of those carrying or suffering from genetic disorders. We recommend the need for improving public understanding of human genetics should be borne in mind in any review of the National Curriculum and in the work of all public bodies concerned with the public understanding of science. (Paragraph 8.23 summarising paragraphs 8.4 - 8.7)
10.18 We recognise that there are limits to the effects of educational work, however good. We, therefore, regard as essential to the safeguards against eugenic abuse our recommendations on adequately informed consent, confidentiality and the central coordination and monitoring of genetic screening programmes. (Paragraph 8.24 summarising paragraphs 8.20 - 8.22)