- 著者
-
岩江 荘介
- 出版者
- 日本医学哲学・倫理学会
- 雑誌
- 医学哲学 医学倫理 (ISSN:02896427)
- 巻号頁・発行日
- vol.24, pp.42-54, 2006-10-24 (Released:2018-02-01)
Genetic information that results from genetic testing reflects the patient's condition, and a part of it is shared with genetic relatives of the patient. Therefore, in cases in which a patient's genetic information indicates the presence of genetic disease, his genetic relatives may suffer (or have suffered) the same disease, as well. The informational consequences of genetic testing cannot be evaded. Thus, in genetic testing, the issue of treatment of genetic relatives is of great importance. The issues of breaching of confidentiality and the duty to warn by physicians have been discussed in accepted theories of bioethics. In such theories, the duty to warn genetic of risk of disease relatives is considered a benefit to them, though this does not take into account the disadvantages to genetic relatives of being informed of disease, e.g.,, distress after being informed that they have the risk of genetic disease. In this paper, I discuss handling of such information from a viewpoint other than that of breaching of confidentiality by physicians. It is important to recognize that genetic relatives have two rights, 'to know' and 'not to know' about their risk of genetic disease. In modern medicine, we accept the principle of self-determination. But, in genetic testing, we must take account of the genetic relatives' rights at the same time. I examine how genetic relatives should participate in genetic testing.