Genetic Testing
Care, Consent and Liability
Chapter One
Genetic Counseling and
the Physician-Patient
Relationship
OVERVIEW
Medicine's ethical maxim, primum non nocere-above all do no harm-and its underlying
values and objectives of treatment and cure, traditionally have been regarded
as the fundamental role and value of medicine in society [Gadow, 1984; Jonsen et al.,
1998]. Within the context of genetic testing, the goals and values adopted in the practice
of counseling need to reflect a variety of applications and settings. The lack of
effective treatment and cure for many genetic diseases and disorders has triggered
significant debate concerning what objectives and values constitute an appropriate
model of care. Accordingly, it is appropriate to consider how the traditional medical
concepts of "benefit," "harm," and the physician-patient relationship have been interpreted
within the context of genetic testing and to look at practical steps that can
be taken to ensure that the patient benefits from counseling.
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