This Article  • Full text  • PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on Web of Science (20)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Topic Collections  • Pediatrics, Other  • Alert me on articles by topic  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Respecting Their Autonomy Is in Their Best Interest

Bernice S. Elger, MD, MA; Timothy W. Harding, MD

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2000;154:113-119.

The testing of individuals before the age of 18 years for hereditary late-onset diseases has been judged ethically not acceptable in guidelines and directives published by medical professional organizations. However, there are not enough best interest arguments to deny genetic testing to an adolescent at risk of carrying a BRCA1 mutation, even if the competence of adolescents for medical decisions is considered to be lower than the competence of adults. The adolescent's decision is not irrational or of very high risk. Respecting adolescents' autonomous choices concerning genetic testing has positive consequences for their self-esteem and psychological health. Geneticists and other professionals should clearly differentiate between children and adolescents in regard to BRCA1 gene testing and recommend giving decision autonomy about the test to all psychologically "normal" adolescents.

From the Unité de Droit Médical et d'Ethique Clinique, Institut Universitaire de Médecine Légale, Geneva, Switzerland.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Ensuring the Safe Use of Genomic Medicine in Children
Haga and Terry
CLIN PEDIATR 2009;48:703-708.
ABSTRACT  

Brief Assessment of Parents' Attitudes Toward Testing Minor Children for Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer Genes: Development and Validation of the Pediatric BRCA1/2 Testing Attitudes Scale (P-TAS)
Peshkin et al.
J Pediatr Psychol 2009;34:627-638.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Pediatric Psychology Training and Genetics: What Will Twenty-First-Century Pediatric Psychologists Need to Know?
Patenaude
J Pediatr Psychol 2003;28:135-145.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Genetic Tests
Mears
AAP Grand Rounds 2002;7:2-3.
FULL TEXT  

Genetic Testing of Adolescents: Is It in Their Best Interest?
Ross et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000;154 :850-851.
FULL TEXT