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Howard: paternity and Pandora's box.

Jon Weil, Charles R MacKay,

    Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics : CQ : the International Journal of Healthcare Ethics Committees
    |April 1, 1993
    PubMed
    Summary

    Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) testing in a paternity case revealed unexpected non-paternity, raising ethical questions about disclosing incidental findings and physician obligations regarding patient information. This highlights the complexities of genetic testing and patient privacy.

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    Area of Science:

    • Medical Genetics
    • Bioethics

    Background:

    • A paternity suit prompted HLA testing for a young man, Howard, his accuser, and the child.
    • Howard voluntarily included his parents and siblings in HLA testing to strengthen his defense.

    Observation:

    • HLA testing excluded Howard as the child's father.
    • The same HLA testing indicated Howard's presumed father was not his biological parent.

    Findings:

    • Incidental findings from HLA testing created an ethical dilemma regarding disclosure.
    • Physicians face challenges in managing and disclosing sensitive, accidentally acquired genetic information.

    Implications:

    • The case raises questions about a physician's right to withhold or disclose information with significant patient import.
    Keywords:
    Genetics and ReproductionProfessional Patient Relationship

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  • It highlights the ethical considerations of genetic information ownership and the duty to warn at-risk relatives not directly involved in genetic counseling.