Why Ask Why? Logical Fallacies in the Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

A diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) ascribes cause to developmental disability; however, there are logical issues in causation with ethical implications. This article focuses on the use of fallacious logic (affirming the consequent) in FASD, focusing on the Canadian Guidelines for diagnosis, and knowledge translation issues from science to practice. The clinician’s logical fallacy is an ethical issue of veracity in the clinician–patient relationship; this then leads to issues of nonmaleficence, because the diagnosis in turn blames the mother for her child’s difficulties. Suggestions for revised diagnostic practices that avoid allusions to causation and responsibility are discussed.