Genetic Screening: Ethical Issues
Genetic Screening: Ethical Issues
Published: Thu, 2 December 1993Genetic research differs from many areas of medical advance because of its inescapable effect not only on individuals, but also on their families and society generally. For this reason, the Nuffield Council decided to make genetic screening the subject of its first report.
This Report drew on experience of screening for diseases such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anaemia to examine issues such as:
- consent to being screened
- counselling
- the risk of stigma
- confidentiality
- the possible use of genetic information by insurers or employers
- the storage and use of genetic information for legal purposes
The report recommends that the voluntary nature of all screening programmes should be emphasised and that adequately informed consent be a requirement. This report also recommends that a central co-ordinating body be established to monitor genetic screening programmes. The conclusions of the report have been widely endorsed.
Other Downloads
Genetic Screening: a Supplement to the 1993 Report by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Last Updated Tue, 15 August 2006
