Screening for familial adenomatous polyposis

Abstract

When a serious genetic disorder is diagnosed in the family, an immediate question arises: are other family members at risk? Ethical issues arise when DNA technology allows testing of children for a condition which is unlikely to have significant morbidity until later life. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) exemplifies this dilemma. A rational approach to screening requires both an understanding of the natural history of the condition and an acknowledgement of the ethical issues involved.