AKT answer relating to ethical issues in genetic medicine

Answer B. ‘If a patient refuses consent to disclosure [to at-risk relatives], you will need to balance your duty to make the care of your patient your first concern against your duty to help protect the other person from serious harm’

This is a very difficult position and there is limited UK case law regarding genetic disclosure. There are many reasons why disclosure does not take place, including misunderstanding about what guidelines allow clinicians to do, fear of negligence claims, concerns about what the GMC criteria of ‘serious harm’ entails, as well as others. The GMC guidance gives clear discretion to disclose if deemed appropriate by the clinician.

InnovAiT article: Ethical issues in genetic medicine. DOI: 10.1177/1755738017711465.