[Ethical dilemmas in the field of genetics]

After a brief introduction, the role of medical genetics in modern ethical conflicts is emphasized. International working approaches are discussed in an attempt to solve medical conflicts. The studies proposed by Wertz and Fletcher are reviewed in order to assess the strength of consensus on various working approaches. A brief discussion evaluates working approaches to ethical problems in genetics. This discussion also focuses on genetic counselling and screening questions regarding pertinent hereditary diseases. Final considerations point out the demanding role played by the modern geneticist in medical ethics perspectives now broadened by new insights, namely the challenge of human genome mapping.