LEGAL REGULATION OF THE “BIOLOGICAL” PROTECTION OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY: ISSUES OF BALANCING BETWEEN THE RIGHT TO MEDICAL SECRET AND THE RIGHT TO CONSCIOUS MARRIAGE

Abstract

The aim: The purpose of this article is to analyze the state policy of several states in creating an effective mechanism in which persons entering into marriage will be able to obtain the necessary information about the state of each other’s health and thereby make an informed decision about registering a marriage, protecting the health of each other and future offspring. Materials and methods: In the course of the study, a comparative analysis of the legal means used by some states in the field of biological protection of marriage was carried out. First of all, a study was carried out of the family legislation of states with different approaches to the system of premarital medical examination of persons entering into marriage. In addition, the scientific works of scientists from different countries were used, the object of study of which was the problems associated with the biological protection of marriage. The work also used the results of surveys that were conducted in some countries and highlighted in published scientific works. Conclusions: Health information is essential when deciding whether to marry. Hiding such information can seriously harm the partner’s health and children born in such a union. The task of the state is to find a middle ground, in which the balance of interests of the person, whose medical examination revealed health problems (the right to medical secrecy), on the one hand, and the person with whom it is planned to register a marriage (the right to health protection; the right on the voluntariness of marriage).At the same time, the emphasis in state policy on the biological protection of the family should be placed on preventive measures, including non-legal means of information.