PREAMBLE
Genetics impacts the health of all individuals, their offspring, and future generations. The practice of medical genetics has generated principles of ethics to guide those who strive to serve humanity within this profession. The principle tenets are presented for the guidance of each professional and for the information of the public. The evolution of these principles should be only in the direction of higher levels of service to both the individual and the community, and enhancement of the freedom and rights of those who come under the care of anyone belonging to the profession.
Though families with identified genetic conditions currently represent a relatively small segment of the population, virtually everyone is touched by genetics services. Genetic screening is offered to every pregnant woman who receives timely prenatal care, and is provided by law to every newborn. With the advent of presymptomatic and susceptibility testing, the possibility arises of preventive care, but also of unjust discrimination.
As testing and treatment options continue to increase in number and complexity, more choices become available. This evolution has been driven by the conviction that substantial benefits accrue to consumers when such services are appropriately provided. However, members of the profession have long recognized that disclosure of genetic status may adversely affect the autonomy and privacy of the individual, and may have profound effects on other family members.
Much has been written about the ethics of genetic information-giving and about the proper uses of genetic technologies. We have attempted here to collect statements of ethical practice on which a consensus exists. As consensus evolves among genetics professionals and consumers in other areas of practice, additional principles should be added. Inclusion of new statements should be by the consensus of the committee appointed by Council of Regional Networks (CORN), with acceptance by vote of the CORN Steering Committee.
This collection of statements is directed to all professionals who are involved in genetics services on any level. While contemplation of this collection is of bene-