An Ethical Debate: Genetic testing for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in newborn infants: Clinicians' perspective

Abstract

Identification of genes for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has made\npreclinical diagnosis possible in families with a mutation. As yet, however,\nno treatment prevents the development of myocardial hypertrophy, and medical\nintervention has not been shown to improve prognosis. A team from Hammersmith\nHospital carrying out research into genetic causes of the disease report that\nthey were asked by a couple to screen their daughter at birth. The couple also\ngive their view of screening. We asked two medical geneticists, a\ncardiologist, and a paediatrician with an interest in ethics to comment on the\nimplications.