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Code of Ethics
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Introduction
This code of ethics1 attempts to clarify and
guide the conduct of genetic counsellors
practising at both Levels One and Two of the
Register of Genetic Counsellors. It acknowledges
that ethical practice is essential in four main
areas of responsibility, as listed below. All
genetic counsellors must be aware of the ethical
implications of their professional role, and
adhere to the principles and guidelines in this
code.
(A) Self-awareness and development
Genetic counsellors should:
- Be aware of their own physical and emotional
health and take appropriate action to prevent an
adverse impact on their professional performance
- Report to an appropriate person or authority
any conscientious objection that may be relevant
to their professional practice
- Maintain and improve their own professional
education and competence
(B) Relationships with clients
Genetic counsellors should:
- Enable clients to make informed independent
decisions, free from coercion
- Respect the client’s personal beliefs and
their right to make their own decisions
- Respect clients, irrespective of their ethnic
origin, sexual orientation, religious beliefs
and gender
- Avoid any abuse of their professional
relationship with clients
- Protect all confidential information
concerning clients obtained in the course of
professional practice: disclosures of such
information should only be made with the
client’s consent, unless disclosure can be
justified because of a significant risk to
others
- Report to an appropriate person or authority
any circumstance, action or individual that may
jeopardise client care, or their health and
safety.
- Seek all relevant information required for any
given client situation
- Refer clients to other competent professionals
if they have needs outside the professional
expertise of the genetic counsellor
(C) Relationships with colleagues
Genetic counsellors should:
- Collaborate and co-operate with other
colleagues in order to provide the highest
quality of service to the client
- Foster relationships with other members of the
clinical genetics team, to ensure that clients
benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to
care
- Assist colleagues to develop their knowledge
of clinical genetics and genetic counselling
- Report to an appropriate person or authority
any circumstance or action which may jeopardise
the health and safety of a colleague
(D) Responsibilities within the wider society
Genetic counsellors should:
- Provide reliable and expert information to the
general public
- Adhere to the laws and regulations of society.
However, when such laws are in conflict with the
principles of practice, genetic counsellors
should work toward change that will benefit the
public interest
- Seek to influence policy makers on human
genetic issues, both as an individual and/or
through membership of professional bodies
1This code of ethics is based on similar
documents produced by the National Society of
Genetic Counselors (NSGC) of the USA and the
United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing and
Midwifery (UKCC). The AGNC wish to acknowledge
the guidance provided by these documents and
thank these organisations for their
availability. |
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