Physicians should seriously weigh the benefits and risks involved prior to discussing the possibility of genetic testing with a patient or referring them to a genetic counselor.
Two bioethicists argue that prenatal disability screening promotes negativity toward the disabled and gives parents the ability to selectively form families.
A philosophy professor argues that prenatal genetic testing allows potentially painful afflictions to be discovered prior to birth and does not unjustly discriminate against disabled people.
While there are benefits to genetic screening during pregnancy, parents must not let their desire for a genetically perfect child allow them to terminate a pregnancy because of non-medical factors.
Physicians need to take an active role in improving the genetic literacy of the general population and also push for public health policies that make new genetic tools available to everyone.
Sterling Johnson joins Ethics Talk to discuss his article, coauthored with Dr Kimberly L. Sue: "Drawing on Black and Queer Communities’ Harm Reduction Histories to Improve Overdose Prevention Strategies and Policies.”
Dr Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar joins Ethics Talk to discuss her article, coauthored with Drs Catherine J. Livingston and Ricky N. Bluthenthal: “How Should Harm Reduction Be Included in Care Continua for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder?”
Dr Ellen L. Edens joins Ethics Talk to discuss her article, coauthored with Drs Gabriela Garcia Vassallo and Robert Heimer: "How Should the Use of Opioids Be Regulated to Motivate Better Clinical Practice?”
Dr Donald Egan joins Ethics Talk to discuss his article, coauthored with Drs Adriane M. dela Cruz, Sarah E. Baker, and John Z. Sadler: “When Are ‘Paraphernalia’ Critical Medical Supplies?”
Dr Jim Withers and Dave Lettrich join Ethics talk to discuss how street outreach programs help mitigate harms of drug use among people experiencing homelessness.