National Human Genome Research Institute | National Institutes of Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
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Duty to WarnVignette:Alice Smith is a 75-year old woman with four adult daughters. Two years ago, she was treated for medullary thyroid cancer, a disease known to run in families. Alice dies. Now, Lucy, Alice's eldest daughter, has been diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer. Lucy's physician tells her that she likely inherited the genetic alteration and encourages her to warn her siblings and her children. Lucy is very angry with her mother's physician for not warning her. She feels that her cancer could have been detected much earlier if she had known she was at increased risk. Lucy considers filing a lawsuit against the physician. Discussion Questions:
Posted: April 18, 2007 |
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