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GENETIC TESTING 1

Genetic Testing

Assignment 3

Nirali Makwana

HSA4553-92329

Polk State College

October 30, 2020

Discuss ethical issues that arise when genetic testing reveals a fetal anomaly (abnormality) from the perspective of a Healthcare professional.  

Technology has taken its path into the healthcare system in the digital age, where processes like genetic testing are conducted efficiently, and accurate results are achieved. During this era of technologies, it is not uncommon for most women to go for genetic testing. Whenever doctors notice anything abnormal, they notify the mother, and a decision is made. Genetic testing is a relatively rapidly emerging field being approached in most healthcare facilities today (Fulda & Lykens, 2006). Among the most significant effects of genetic testing and revelation of fetal anomaly include the woman’s right to choose, the baby’s right to live, and autonomy. In such a scenario, the mother of the abnormal fetus may feel stressed and depressed about the health of their unborn child, and this is where the moral code of conduct chips in. In such a case, the ethical dilemma to medical practitioners is whether to disclose the outcome of the testing or remain confidential. 

Furthermore, medical practitioners are ethically tasked with maintaining top-notch privacy regarding the information. Besides, the patient should give consent to the whole process and sign an agreement regarding the privacy and confidentiality of the test results with the therapist. As such, autonomy of making decisions, privacy, and confidentiality must be upheld. One of the sensitive concerns about the abnormal status of the fetus is that the mother may be willing to abort. The ethical dilemma here concerns the mother's willingness to keep the fetus and the right of the fetus to life (Fulda & Lykens, 2006). Such conditions may force the healthcare practitioner to help consult with the patient about what decisions to make and consider the moral standards in healthcare. 

How should such a difficult circumstance be handled?

The specific course of action would be to respect the pregnant woman’s individual view and decision about the fetus and how it should be handled. This action would be effective respect for the respect of autonomy. This ethical code of conduct gives the patients the authority to make an independent decision without interruption by the healthcare provider. From the perspective of a healthcare professional, the patient’s right to autonomy should be respected, and freedom of making decisions should not be tampered with. The woman’s interests, values, and perceptions ought to be respected, and the patient should be given the free will to decide on their own. However, autonomy does not mean that the healthcare professional should not help the patient in the traumatic experience and help them in making critical decisions. For instance, in an event where the patient chooses to abort the abnormal fetus, the medical professionals may opt to help the patient while respecting their beliefs and rights (Fulda & Lykens, 2006). As well, if the patient decides that they are willing to keep the abnormal fetus, then the patient can decide to pay for counseling services from the doctor about the expectations in the future and how to live happily with the baby despite the challenges she might face. 

Another ethical concern to be addressed would be the concept of beneficence, implying that the patient’s health-related interests obligate the doctor to seek clinical benefits over clinical harms for the patients. In genetic testing, several ethical dilemmas may force the patients to make any decision for the patient without considering their harm. As a result, physicians should maintain top-notch security and safety of the patient in the notion of beneficence. Seeking the benefits of the treatment process over the clinical harms may go a long way to ensuring that the process is conducted effectively with respect to the client’s interests and values (Fulda & Lykens, 2006). As such, doctors must have bold respect for the patient’s decision and make sure that s/he helps them in making the right decision for their benefits. 

Furthermore, the fetus can be considered a patient, and the doctors may be obliged to seek a change or even override the pregnant mother’s desires for the sake of the fetus’ safety, as argued by Chervenark et al. (2003). Treating the fetus as a patient means that what works better for the benefit of the baby is considered important than the wishes of the parent. For instance, some countries have not yet legalized abortion, and in a case where the pregnant woman chooses to abort the abnormal fetus, physicians may neglect it and treat the fetus as a patient. Denying the pregnant woman their wishes to do anything about their pregnancy may be an ethical dilemma for the physician, but the safety of the innocent unborn baby should be upheld and ensured. It is also unethical for many Christian countries to approve of abortion unless the life of the mother is in danger. However, if the fetus is the only affected patient in the genetic testing, then the mother must respect the fetus’s right to life, and the doctors can override the woman’s wishes. For instance, if the mother insists on aborting, the patients may be forced to do a caesarian operation on the woman, remove the baby, and let it live independently outside the womb with the help of biological technologies. 

References

Chervenak, F. A., McCullough, L. B., Skupski, D., & Chasen, S. T. (2003). Ethical issues in the management of pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies. Obstetrical & gynecological survey, 58(7), 473-483.

Fulda, K. G., & Lykens, K. (2006). Ethical issues in predictive genetic testing: a public health perspective. Journal of Medical Ethics, 32(3), 143-147.