自閉症類群障礙遺傳檢驗與諮詢之倫理議題

The Ethical Issues in Genetic Testing and Counselling of Autism Spectrum Disorder

本文針對自閉症類群障礙症（ASD）遺傳檢驗與諮詢所涉相關倫理議題，包括：針對兒童進行遺傳檢驗之基本倫理考量，對於疑似或確診ASD病童進行遺傳檢驗、對於未出現症狀孩童進行遺傳檢驗進行探討，參考先進國家專業醫學會之執業倫理準則與法規、考量華人文化與習俗，試擬訂「自閉症類群障礙遺傳檢驗暨諮詢執業倫理準則」。作者期望藉本文之分析與準則之提出，有助於病患、家屬、醫療人員對於ASD遺傳檢驗與諮詢相關倫理議題之認知，從而提升醫療照護品質。

This paper investigates the ethical issues arising from genetic testing and counseling for autism spectrum disorders patients, including general consideration for genetic test for children, diagnostic test for ASD children, and genetic test for asymptomatic children. Guidelines established by Western professional associations were referred to and local culture and social values are considered and a set of domestic guideline for ASD genetic testing and counseling is proposed. It is hoped that with the explication of this paper and the guideline proposed, the awareness of ethical issues and quality of care for ASD patients can be improved.