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Inside the Ethics Committee

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Religion & Ethics

Joan Bakewell and a panel of experts wrestle with the ethics of a real-life medical case.

Joan Bakewell is joined by a panel of experts to wrestle with the ethics arising from a real-life medical case.

BBC Radio 4 LW

Inside the Ethics Committee: Series 12

Inside the Ethics Committee: Series 12: Episode 3: Sharing Genetic Information

Sharing Genetic Information

Episode 3

Episode 3: Sharing Genetic Information

Series 12

BBC Radio 4 - Inside the Ethics Committee, Series 12, Sharing Genetic Information

If you have a life-threatening gene fault, do blood relatives have a right to know?

Medical information is personal, and DNA perhaps the most personal of all. But what about a life-threatening genetic fault your family might share? Do they have a right to know?

Andrew is just 33 when he develops bowel cancer. Genetic tests reveal he has a genetic condition called Lynch Syndrome. 

Lynch Syndrome has previously been diagnosed in a relative, but Andrew was never told that put him at risk. If he'd known, his cancer might have been spotted sooner and treated. 

In a separate case, Lucy discovers that her father has Huntington's disease. She wonders whether to get tested for the gene herself. Unlike Lynch Syndrome the disease can't be treated or prevented so she is unsure whether there is any benefit to knowing.

Lucy's also concerned about what this means for her young son. If she had known about Huntington's sooner she could have chosen not to pass on the gene. But now it's too late - could he carry the Huntington's gene too? How and when should she break that news to him?

Joan Bakewell and her panel of experts discuss the ethics of sharing genetic information. Do doctors have a duty of care only to their patient or also to the wider family? How do they balance their patient's right to privacy with the wider family's right to information that could save their lives? 

Producer: Lorna Stewart
Photo Credit: Serge Noel / Getty Images.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Joan Bakewell and a panel of experts tackle the ethics involved in a real hospital case.

Joan Bakewell is joined by a panel of experts to tackle the ethics involved in a real hospital case.

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Inside the Ethics Committee

Series 12

Episode 3: Sharing Genetic Information

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