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Legal question about genetic counselors

Q

QueHuong

Platinum Member
If a patient tests positive for a genetic condition, does the genetic counselor have the legal obligation to inform family members they're at risk? I want to argue that a person's medical records are his own, but if it's already against the law, then I can't argue that.

And are genetic counselors doctors? Are they bound by the same doctor-patient privilege?
 
All healthcare staff are by law prohibited to pass information about your medical records to other ppl including members of your family unless you give consent to it. They don't have any legal obligation to inform family members if you have a genetic condition but it is most likely better if they know. If you for instance would be at risk of getting cancer you would want to know in order to check it up regularly and most likely change the course of the disease should it arise. If it is a condition that you can't treat at all it ethically becomes more difficult whether to inform ppl about it.


/Matt, MD
 
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