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Ethical issues in genetic counseling: A comparison of M.S. counselor and medical geneticist perspectives
Author(s) -
Pencarinha Deborah F.,
Bell Nora K.,
Edwards Janice G.,
Best Robert G.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of genetic counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1573-3599
pISSN - 1059-7700
DOI - 10.1007/bf00960081
Subject(s) - geneticist , genetic counseling , confidentiality , genetic testing , medical genetics , autonomy , psychology , human genetics , family medicine , informed consent , disease , medicine , genetics , alternative medicine , pathology , biology , political science , law , gene
Abstract New technologies available in the field of medical genetics have increased the importance of responsible ethical decision‐making among genetic counselors. A 1985 national survey of M.D. and Ph.D. genetic counselors assessed ethical attitudes using case scenarios designed to simulate dilemmas faced in genetic counseling (Wertz and Fletcher, 1988b). The current study focuses on attitudes of M.S. genetic counselors using similar scenarios, allowing for effective comparisons. M.S. counselors were more willing than M.D. and Ph.D. counselors to maintain patient confidentiality when screening for Huntington's Disease and occupational diseases, and a greater number would agree to counsel patients pursuing prenatal testing for sex selection. A majority of M.S. counselors would disclose an XY karyotype to a phenotypically female patient. M.S. counselors reasoned that respect for patient autonomy and patient confidentiality justified their decisions in many cases. The importance of these principles is discussed and questioned .