Non-disclosure of genetic risks: The case for developing legal wrongs. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chico, Victoria
• Is Part Of: Medical law international. Volume 16:Number 1/2(2016)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Genetic risk -- non-disclosure -- legal harm -- legal wrong -- confidentiality; Medical laws and legislation -- Periodicals; Legislation, Medical -- Periodicals; 344.041
• DOI: 10.1177/0968533216653440
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0968-5332

Abstract

In ABC v. St Georges Healthcare NHS Trust, the High Court of England and Wales rejected the argument that doctors have a legal duty to disclose actionable genetic risks to a patient's relatives. This article reconsiders the concept of a duty to disclose actionable genetic risks in the context of widening perceptions of legal harm and developing professional and public perceptions of corresponding wrongs.