Genetic testing for psychiatric illness in children: ethical issues
Fiona Lynch1, Danya Vears1,2,3
1Biomedical Ethics Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville.
Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|August 29, 2022
Summary
Genetic testing in child psychiatry presents unique ethical challenges, particularly concerning consent and potential discrimination. Careful counseling is crucial to protect children
Area of Science:
- Psychiatric genetics
- Pediatric mental health
- Bioethics
Background:
- Genetic and genomic technologies offer significant potential in psychiatry.
- Psychiatric conditions often manifest in late adolescence or early adulthood.
- Ethical challenges of genetic testing are amplified in pediatric populations.
Approach:
- Review of ethical considerations for genetic testing in child psychiatry.
- Analysis of challenges in balancing parental and child autonomy.
- Assessment of healthcare professionals' understanding of psychiatric genetics.
Key Points:
- Child psychiatric genetic testing involves complex issues of consent and capacity, complicated by parental and familial mental illness.
- Limited understanding of psychiatric genetics among health professionals can impede care.
- Children face compounded risks of stigma and discrimination due to genetic diagnoses and psychiatric conditions.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support routine clinical use of genetic testing in psychiatric populations.
- When utilized, thorough pre-test counseling and informed decision-making are imperative.
- These measures are essential for safeguarding the developing and future autonomy of children.
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