title: Genetic dilemmas and the child's right to an open future.
abstract: Although deeply committed to the model of nondirective counseling, most genetic counselors enter the profession with certain assumptions about health and disability-for example, that it is preferable to be a hearing person than a deaf person. Thus, most genetic counselors are deeply troubled when parents with certain disabilities ask for assistance in having a child who shares their disability. This ethical challenge benefits little from viewing it as a conflict between beneficence and autonomy. The challenge is better recast as a conflict between parental autonomy and the child's future autonomy.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D026686:Beneficence; D002648:Child; D002651:Child Advocacy; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012945:Social Values