Somatic gene therapies pose new ethical issues for the individual patient but germ-cell therapies, such as inserting genes into fertilized eggs, affects not only the life of that individual but the potential of all his or her offspring, thus introducing additional complex ethical issues. Reproductive decisions should be the province of those who will be directly responsible for the social and biological aspects of childbearing and child rearing. The woman should make the final decision among reproductive options without coercion from her partner, her doctor or the law. Choice should include the economic and social ability to act upon a decision, including decisions to terminate a pregnancy or to raise a child with a disability. Confidentiality when other family members are at high risk.
Family members have a moral obligation to share genetic information with each other.
Protection of privacy from institutional third parties. Insurers, employers, schools, government agencies should have no access to genetics information about an individual without the person's fully informed consent and should not be permitted to require genetic tests without informed consent. Full disclosure of clinically relevant information to patients, a prerequisite for free choice. A voluntary approach to genetic services, including genetic counseling, testing, prenatal diagnosis, presymptomatic testing, and screening in the workplace for susceptibility to occupationally related diseases. Emphasis on non-directive counseling.