Genetic Privach

Background

Advancements in technology that have been taking place with genetic specimens in medicine may place ethical concerns on a greater scale because everyone seems to be at an increased risk for developing a new genetic disease. So, new genetic sampling methods may cause ethical concerns to appear at a different stage of life or of decision-making. If the privacy conflict between doctor and patient relationship has happened for multiple decades, the genetic counselor and patient relationship will show new ethical conflicts with privacy issues that may have little resolution. There will need to be a continued respect for individuals' rights of self-determination with medical professionals. Along with that, the medical profession will still need to continue to be observed as the leading health authority, where their overall interest should be defined as well being of the patient.

Ethical Philosophies To Date

What seems to be used to date was the utilitarianism ethical philosophy, in which the belief was in the long run the following of rules would lead to the greatest benefit to society. An act utilitarian approach results when one bases a decision on its consequences and the action resulting in the greatest good is selected. “Plaintiffs allege that the testing of their blood and urine samples for syphilis, sickle cell trait, and pregnancy occurred without their knowledge or consent, and without any subsequent notification that the tests had been conducted” (Halbert & Ingulli, 2012). Here, the effects are dominant and outdo any harm created by the explicit actions involved. The underlying premise of utilitarianism is that individuals should evaluate decisions in terms of their impact on society. Since this mindset would stress consumer help and prefer to behave in a legally compliant manner, a research firm following utilitarianism would decide how much privacy protection they would abide. By weighing the invasion of personal privacy, such as...