HON 365: Ethical Issues in Science

Case Study #2 – A case of paternity

A couple with two children had extensive blood-work done in order to more fully understand the possible causes of their younger daughter’s autism. If the tests showed a genetic link, they had decided not to have any more children. The tests revealed that the autism was due to a rare sex-linked genetic defect. The genetic anomaly was passed on by the father. However, the man who raised the girls was in fact free of this defect and thus not the biological father of this young girl.

Questions to ponder:

1. Who should be told? Why?

2. What harms are intrinsic in withholding the information? In divulging the information?

3. The physician has access to paternity information about the older daughter as well. Should this be revealed?

4. Should the biological father be notified that he carries a lethal gene?