Patient rights, risk, and responsibilities in the genetic era – a right to know, a right not to know, or a duty to know?
Journal Title: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine - Year 2015, Vol 22, Issue 1
Abstract
[b]Introduction and objective[/b]. As genetics tests ordered by physicians have implications not only for patients but also their relatives, they create a bioethical dilemma for both clinicians and patients. Especially when a patient is reluctant to undergo the test, know the genetic risk, and share such information with others. While international biomedical law recognises the right not to know one’s genetic status, it has been criticised for many reasons. This paper outlines the arguments for and against the right not to know about genetic risk. [b]Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge[/b]. Both medicine and bioethics acknowledge that information about genetic risk affects not only the individual but also other family members. Consequently, many argue that such information is not a private matter and should be regarded not as a right but as an obligation, or even a duty. Thus, it is emphasized that one’s right not to know is strictly related to the duty to inform others about any genetic risk. Yet others believe that constant proliferation of genetic testing and moralization of health issues poses a serious threat to patient rights and creates new opportunities for social surveillance and control. In both cases there can be observed an increasing ‘bioethecization’ of genetic discourse. [b]Summary.[/b] The paper suggests that the developments in genetics result in the emergence of new molecular ethics which stress that individuals have a moral and political duty to undergo the test, know the risk, and disclose that information to others. Consequently, it may transform the right to know into a duty and poses the question whether in the genetic context individuals should have the right to remain ignorant. Finally, the paper argues that genetic literacy becomes a source of biological citizenship.
Authors and Affiliations
Jan Domaradzki
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP80933
- DOI -
- Views 142
- Downloads 0
Determinants of sense of coherence among managerial nursing Staff
[b]Introduction.[/b] The sense of coherence is a tool for confronting the challenges posed by life. It constitutes a general human orientation, which is expressed through the conviction that outside stimuli can be explai...
Environmental exposure to zinc and copper influences sperm quality in fertile males
[b][/b][b]Introduction.[/b] The presented study was designed to investigate the associations between environmental exposure to zinc and copper and levels of the parameters of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence syst...
Epigenetic regulation in drug addiction
The interaction between environmental signals and genes has now taken on a clear molecular form as demonstrated by stable changes in chromatin structure. These changes occur through activation or repression of specific g...
Type III Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndromes in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Introduction: Type III Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome (PAS III) is composed of autoimmune thyroid diseases associated with endocrinopathy other than adrenal insufficiency. This syndrome is associated with organ-specif...
Plasma and erythrocyte relationship of catecholamines in hemodialysis patients
The function of the autonomic nervous system is based on reciprocal interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts, most frequently in the form of antagonistic action on target organs. The main mediators o...