Predictive genetic testing of children for adult-onset diseases and psychological harm. Export

@article{citeulike:2620629, abstract = {One of the central arguments given to resist testing currently healthy, asymptomatic children for adult-onset diseases is that they may be psychologically harmed by the knowledge gained from such tests. In this discussion I examine two of the most serious arguments: children who are tested may face limited futures, and that testing may result in damage to the child's self esteem (where the test result returns a positive diagnosis). I claim that these arguments do not stand up to critical evaluation. In conclusion, whilst I do not suggest that all at-risk children should be tested for adult-onset diseases we ought to listen carefully to some parental requests for such testing because the putative psychological harms may not be as significant or likely as initially thought. This is because parents generally have the best interests of their children at heart and if they are properly supported and educated about predictive genetic testing and the possible consequences, then the risk of psychological harms occurring may be ameliorated.}, address = {P J Malpas, Philosophy Department, The University of Auckland, Private Bag, 92019, Auckland, New Zealand; p.malpas@auckland.ac.nz.}, author = {Malpas, P. J.}, citeulike-article-id = {2620629}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jme.2006.019802}, citeulike-linkout-1 = {http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18375680}, citeulike-linkout-2 = {http://www.hubmed.org/display.cgi?uids=18375680}, doi = {10.1136/jme.2006.019802}, issn = {1473-4257}, journal = {J Med Ethics}, keywords = {predictive, predisposition, risk}, month = {July}, number = {4}, pages = {275--278}, posted-at = {2008-10-22 20:52:19}, priority = {4}, title = {Predictive genetic testing of children for adult-onset diseases and psychological harm.}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jme.2006.019802}, volume = {34}, year = {2008} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:2620629 L3 - citeulike-article-id:2620629 N2 - One of the central arguments given to resist testing currently healthy, asymptomatic children for adult-onset diseases is that they may be psychologically harmed by the knowledge gained from such tests. In this discussion I examine two of the most serious arguments: children who are tested may face limited futures, and that testing may result in damage to the child's self esteem (where the test result returns a positive diagnosis). I claim that these arguments do not stand up to critical evaluation. In conclusion, whilst I do not suggest that all at-risk children should be tested for adult-onset diseases we ought to listen carefully to some parental requests for such testing because the putative psychological harms may not be as significant or likely as initially thought. This is because parents generally have the best interests of their children at heart and if they are properly supported and educated about predictive genetic testing and the possible consequences, then the risk of psychological harms occurring may be ameliorated. IS - 4 JF - J Med Ethics SN - 1473-4257 AD - P J Malpas, Philosophy Department, The University of Auckland, Private Bag, 92019, Auckland, New Zealand; p.malpas@auckland.ac.nz. EP - 278 TI - Predictive genetic testing of children for adult-onset diseases and psychological harm. VL - 34 SP - 275 KW - predictive KW - predisposition KW - risk AU - Malpas, PJ PY - 2008/07// UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jme.2006.019802 ER -