Jessica Gardner, British Medical Association, London, UK
Published online: July 2006
DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0005184
Legal and ethical problems surface in relation to parental requests for genetic testing that offer no direct or immediate benefit to the child. Parents have a responsibility for the care of their children, rather than having rights over them; any decision made regarding the health of their child must be in the best interests of that child.
Keywords: parental responsibility; adult-onset disorder; late-onset disorder; parental responsibility rights of the child
| References | |
| book Anderson J (1998) In: Clarke A (ed.) The Genetics Testing of Children. Oxford, UK: Bios. | |
| book Black J (1998) "Regulation as facilitation: negotiating the genetic revolution". In: Brownsward R, et al. (eds.) Law and Human Genetics: Regulating a Revolution. London, UK: Hart Publishing. | |
| book BMA (1998) Human Genetics: Choice and Responsibility. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. | |
| book BMA (2001) Consent, Rights and Choices in Health Care for Children and Young People. London, UK: British Medical Association. | |
| book Clarke A (ed.) (1998) The Genetic Testing of Children. Oxford, UK: Bios. | |
| Clarke A (1994) The genetic testing of children: report of the working party on the genetic testing of children. Journal of Medical Genetics 31: 785–797. | |
| Cohen CA (1998) Wrestling with the future: should we test children for adult onset genetic conditions? Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal 8 (2): 111–130. | |
| book Gillick versus West Norfolk and Wisbech AHA (1986) AC 112. | |
| Grubb A (2000) Testing a Child for HIV: Re C. Medical Law Review 120. | |
| book Kennedy I (1988) Treat Me Right. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press. | |
| book Kennedy I and Grubb A (2000) Medical Law. London, UK: Butterworths. | |
| book McLean SAM (1998) "The genetic testing of Children: some legal and ethical concerns". In: Clarke A (ed.) The Genetic Testing of Children. Oxford, UK: Bios. | |
| book Nuffield Council on Bioethics (1998) Mental Disorders and Genetics: The Ethics Context. London, UK: Nuffield Foundation. | |
| book Re J (a minor) (1990) FCR 135. | |
| book Re J (a minor) (1991) Wardship: Medical Treatment. Fam 33 | |
| book Re J (a minor) (1992) Consent to Medical treatment. 3 WLR 758 | |
| book Re W (a minor) (1993) Medical Treatment: Courts Jurisdiction. Fam 64 | |
| book Re Z (a minor) (1997) Identification: Restriction on Publication. Fam 1, 25–26. | |
| book UK Parliament (1989) Children Act 1987 (c. 41). London, UK: HMSO. | |
| Further Reading | |
| book Advisory Committee for Genetic Testing (1998) Report on Genetic Testing for Late Onset Disorders. London, UK: United Kingdom Department of Health. | |
| book Brazier M (1992) Medicine, Patients and the Law, 2nd edn. Harmondsworth, UK: Penguin Books. | |
| Clayton EW (1997) Genetic testing in children. Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 22: 233. | |
| book David DS (1997) Genetic Dilemmas and the Child: Rights to an Open Future. Hastings Centre Report, no. 27, p. 7. | |
| Dickenson DL (1999) Can children and young people consent to be tested for adult onset disorders. British Medical Journal 318: 1063. | |
| Fost A (1993) Genetic diagnosis and treatment: ethical considerations. American Journal of Disabled Children 147: 1190–1195. | |
| Fryer A (1995) Genetic testing of children. Archives of Disease in Childhood 73: 97. | |
| book Harper RS (1999) Medical Treatment and the Law: The Protection of Adults and Minors in the Family Division. Bristol, UK: Family Law. | |
| book Kennedy I and Grubb A (eds.) (1998) Principles of Medical Law. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. | |
| book Mason JK and McCall Smith RA (1999) Law and Medical Ethics, 5th edn. London, UK: Butterworths. | |
| Skene L (1998) Parents rights and family responsibilities: two approaches to genetic testing. Medical Law Review 6(1): 1–41. | |
Copyright © 2000-2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., or related companies. All rights reserved.
