Rethinking the "open future" argument against predictive genetic testing of children.
Genet Med
; 21(10): 2190-2198, 2019 10.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30894702
ABSTRACT
Professional consensus has traditionally discouraged predictive genetic testing when no childhood interventions can reduce future morbidity or mortality. However, advances in genome sequencing and accumulating evidence that children and families cope adequately with predictive genetic information have weakened this consensus. The primary argument remaining against testing appeals to children's "right to an open future." It claims that the autonomy of the future adult is violated when others make an irreversible choice to obtain or disclose predictive genetic information during childhood. We evaluate this argument and conclude that children's interest in an open future should not be understood as a right. Rather an open future is one significant interest to weigh against other important interests when evaluating decisions. Thus, predictive genetic testing is ethically permissible in principle, as long as the interests promoted outweigh potential harms. We conclude by offering an expanded model of children's interests that might be considered in such circumstances, and present two case analyses to illustrate how this framework better guides decisions about predictive genetic testing in pediatrics.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Pruebas Genéticas
/
Toma de Decisiones
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Genet Med
Asunto de la revista:
GENETICA MEDICA
Año:
2019
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos