Counseling
The WSMA believes that physicians engaged in genetic counseling are
ethically obligated to provide prospective parents with the basis for an
informed decision for childbearing. (Reaffirmed A-23)
The WSMA believes the physician should be prepared in the instance where a
genetic defect is found in the fetus, prospective parents may request or
refuse an abortion. (Reaffirmed A-23)
The WSMA affirms that physicians who consider the legal and ethical
requirements applicable to genetic counseling to be in conflict with their
moral values and conscience may choose to limit such services to
preconception diagnosis and advice or not provide any genetic services.
However, there are circumstances in which the physician who is so disposed
is nevertheless obligated to alert prospective parents that a potential
genetic problem does exist, that the physician does not offer genetic
services, and that the patient should seek medical counseling from another
qualified specialist. (JC 2.10-87) (Reaffirmed A-23)
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Abbreviations for House of Delegates report origination:
EC – Executive Committee; BT – Board of Trustees; CPA – Council on
Professional Affairs; JC – Judicial Council; CHS – Community and Health
Services