The genetic testing of children

Abstract

Inherited disorders have a wide range of significance in adoption because of the multiplicity of viewpoints that exist between the members of the adoption triangle (adopted person) birth family, adoptive family) and the Adoption Agency. When inherited disorders arise in the context of adoption placement decisions, they may be highly significant and have an important bearing on the outcome of an adoption. The management of genetic disorders in adoption should begin with determining the attitudes and expectations of adopters with regard to present or future disability. Specific issues such as predictive and carrier testing are the same as for any similarly situated person at genetic risk, with the additional consideration of the effect of the decision (and, if a test is performed, the possible test results) on the child's placement. The legal situation regarding consent to testing in the adoption process has not been clarified judicially.