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06:46
A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19
Published on: July 5, 2022
The ethics of screening for disease
1Department of Clinical Genetics, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Australia. martin.delatycki@ghsv.org.au
Pathology
|December 27, 2011
Summary
Screening identifies early disease for timely intervention, but ethical considerations like consent, utility, funding, and access are crucial. Specific programs like reproductive, adult-onset, and newborn screening highlight these ethical challenges.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Screening programs aim to detect diseases early, enabling interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality.
- The implementation of screening involves various ethical considerations impacting individuals and populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the ethical issues associated with general screening processes.
- To examine ethical challenges within specific screening programs, including reproductive, adult-onset disease, and newborn screening.
Main Methods:
- Review of ethical principles applied to screening.
- Analysis of ethical dilemmas in established and emerging screening contexts.
Main Results:
- Ethical issues in screening encompass consent, test utility, program funding, and equitable access.
- Specific ethical challenges are identified in reproductive, adult-onset disease, and newborn screening programs.
Conclusions:
- Integrating ethical considerations into screening program design is essential for maximizing public health benefits.
- Lessons from past screening programs and emerging technologies necessitate ongoing ethical evaluation.
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