Ethical issues in genetics and genomics Section 2

1. Ethical issues in genetics and genomicsSection 2 Lesson Plan: Ethical issues in genetics and genomics – considering how people make decisions

2. Specific issues The whole family is often the ‘client’ There needs to be consideration of the impact of any action or inaction on others in the family How do you manage confidentiality when dealing with several family members? What is your role in dealing with potential and future issues as well as current disease?

3. Ethical models • Utilitarian – best for the majority • e.g. what is best for the community • Code of conduct – doing your duty • e.g. sometimes not always the best option • Virtue Ethics • e.g. how does a person act?

4. Biomedical ethical principles • Respect for autonomy • Non - maleficence (avoiding harm) • Beneficence (doing good) • Justice (act fairly)

5. Ethical issues in practice • Confidentiality • Privacy • Truth telling • Duty of care • Right to know versus right not to know

6. Ethical issues in practice When in your practice might you need to consider these issues?

7. Examples of ethical issues • Consent • Disclosure of information • Discordance • Testing on children • Benefits should outweigh the harm • Diagnostic vs. predictive • Compliance • Predictive testing • Cardiology investigations • Pre-natal diagnosis • Confidentiality