Transformation of Ethical Regulations in the Context of Medical Genetic Counseling Improvement

Abstract

The improvement of the medical genetic counseling, the routinisation of this area of medical practice leads to a change in the model of the physician-patient relationship, and also requires a revision of the basic ethical rules that underlie medical practice. The feature of the medical genetic counseling is that the information obtained as a result of DNA analysis is significant not only for the individual patient, but also for his relatives. Thus, the subject of communication is not one patient, but his whole family. The physician is faced with the problem of reconciling the interests of the patient and his relatives, who can be at risk. Modern man is more appreciative of the relationship based on an emotional relationship. However, knowledge of their genetic status, the importance of informing relatives about the mutation leads to an increase in the role of biological kinship. The feature of the medical genetic counseling does not allow to fully implement the basic bioethical principles: non-maleficence, beneficence, autonomy, justice. The improvement of the medical genetic counseling practices and their effectiveness are impossible without the transformation of rules and procedures aimed at the possibility of communication with the patient's relatives. One solution is to develop informed consent forms that limit the right of an individual patient to dispose of genetic information. An equally important mechanism to overcome the problems faced by genetic consulting is conducting PR campaigns and additional consultations aimed at improving the genetic competence of the people and loyalty to the genetic laboratories.