Genetic Dilemmas and the Child's Right to an Open Future

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1997

Publication Title

Hastings Center Reports

Keywords

bioethics, autonomy, child's right to an open future, deaf children

Abstract

Although deeply committed to the model of nondirective counseling, most genetic counselors enter the profession with certain assumptions about health and disability--for example, that it is preferable to be a hearing person than a deaf person. Thus, most genetic counselors are deeply troubled when parents with certain disabilities ask for assistance in having a child who shares their disability. This ethical challenge benefits little from viewing it as a conflict between beneficence and autonomy. The challenge is better recast as a conflict between parental autonomy and the child's future autonomy.

Comments

Available on Jstor - via your institution.

Volume

27

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS