Societal problems in human and medical genetics.

The applications of human and medical genetics raise many societal and ethical problems. This paper deals with a variety of such issues posed by current and future developments in genetic counseling, genetic screening, prenatal and predictive diagnosis, and gene therapy. The promise and problems of behavioral genetics are discussed. Problems of privacy, decision making, societal pressures, stigmatization, and informed consent to genetic study are raised. Use of genetic data by insurance companies or other public groups is discussed. The rapid unfolding of genetic information affecting human health and disease is producing difficult dilemmas. New problems are likely to surface, but human ingenuity and rationality is likely to find just and compassionate solutions in most settings.