What are the ethical considerations when someone is tested positive for a genetic condition?

First need to know the inheritance pattern, e.g. autosomal dominant/recessive or X-linked, to calculate the risk of offspring or siblings being affected with the condition.Patient confidentiality is a major consideration here - we need to establish whether the patient wishes to disclose this information and explain the potential consequences for their children and siblings.Consider the four pillars of medical ethics - autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice.Legal standpoint - at the moment, the law does not find reason for confidentiality to be breached in the situation of inherited conditions, however, this area of medical law is constantly evolving especially in light of rapid advances in the availability of genome sequencing technology.

BJ
Answered by Benjamin J. Medical School Preparation tutor

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