James G. Hodge, Jr., JD, LLM, is the deputy director of the Center for Law and the Public's Health at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins Universities; assistant public health professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; and a faculty member, Georgetown University Law Center. Professor Hodge formerly served as project director of an NIH-funded effort to study legal and ethical issues at the intersection of genetics, ethics, and the law.
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Article
Ethical issues concerning genetic testing and screening in public health
Article first published online: 14 JAN 2004
DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.30005
Copyright © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Issue
American Journal of Medical Genetics Part C: Seminars in Medical Genetics
Special Issue: Public Health Approach to Birth Defects, Developmental Disabilities, and Genetic Conditions
Volume 125C, Issue 1, pages 66–70, 15 February 2004
Additional Information
How to Cite
Hodge, J. G. (2004), Ethical issues concerning genetic testing and screening in public health. Am. J. Med. Genet., 125C: 66–70. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.30005
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James G. Hodge, Jr., JD, LLM, is the deputy director of the Center for Law and the Public's Health at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins Universities; assistant public health professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; and a faculty member, Georgetown University Law Center. Professor Hodge formerly served as project director of an NIH-funded effort to study legal and ethical issues at the intersection of genetics, ethics, and the law.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 26 JAN 2004
- Article first published online: 14 JAN 2004
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- genetics;
- public health;
- testing;
- screening;
- ethics;
- exceptionalism
Abstract
Genetic testing (predictive analysis that determines genetic alterations in individuals for clinical purposes) and screening (programs that identify persons within a subpopulation who may be at a higher risk for a genetic disease or condition) are increasingly utilized to promote and improve the public's health. The proliferate use of genetic testing and screening may improve public health outcomes, but it also implicates significant ethical, legal, and social concerns. Within the context of conflicting ethical values from the individual and public health perspectives, individual values such as informed consent and privacy and discrimination protections must be respected. Legal and ethical attempts to exceptionalize genetic tests and information (as compared to other health information) to protect privacy and prevent discrimination are well intended, but can also be unjust and impractical. Respect for individual ethical rights has limits. Principles of public health ethics justify voluntary genetic testing and screening and sharing of data for population-based health purposes. Thus, individual rights should not always trump the use of genetic tests or screening programs (or information derived therefrom) for legitimate public health purposes. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.