Genetic screening: triumphs, problems, and controversies.

M R Natowicz; J S Alper

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PubMed · 1802891

Genetic screening: triumphs, problems, and controversies.

M R Natowicz·J S Alper

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Abstract

As genetic screening becomes more widespread, it becomes increasingly important to analyze the manifold implications of genetic screening programs. This paper characterizes the various types of programs and discusses some of the scientific, ethical, social, and economic issues that arise in evaluating any genetic screening program. Two examples of successful programs, newborn screening for phenylketonuria and carrier detection for Tay-Sachs disease, are presented. We then discuss three other screening programs that have not yet been fully implemented but which have already engendered a great deal of controversy: mass screening for heterozygosity for cystic fibrosis, DNA fingerprinting in the criminal justice system, and genetic screening in the workplace.

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Cost-Benefit Analysis Cystic Fibrosis DNA Fingerprinting Genetic Counseling Genetic Diseases, Inborn Genetic Testing Humans Phenylketonurias Program Evaluation Risk Assessment Tay-Sachs Disease Genetics and Reproduction Journal Article

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M R Natowicz, J S Alper. 1991. Genetic screening: triumphs, problems, and controversies.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1802891/

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