title: Enhancing family communication about genetics: ethical and professional dilemmas.
abstract: When a new genetic condition is diagnosed within a family, genetic counselors often describe a sense of responsibility towards other at risk family members to be appropriately informed about their status. Successful communication of genetic information in families is contingent on many factors. While a small number of probands directly state their intention not to inform their relatives, many who do intend to communicate this information appear to be unsuccessful for a wide range of reasons and may benefit from follow up support from a genetic counselor. Drawing on the reciprocal-engagement model (REM) of genetic counseling practice we explore how enhancing family communication about genetics raises a number of ethical and professional challenges for counselors-and describe how we resolved these. A subsequent manuscript will describe the counseling framework we have developed to enhance family communication about genetics.
authors: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. jan.hodgson@mcri.edu.au
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Hodgson
authors: Clara
authors: C
authors: Gaff
mesh_terms: D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004989:Ethics; D004995:Ethics, Professional; D005190:Family; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006801:Humans; D011368:Professional-Family Relations