Confidentiality Case Study Essay

The case study is based on the genetic disorder and the confidentiality of patient .The main motive of disclosing a genetic disorder is to tell other family members about the risk of the diseases but, this is not a simple task. Patient's consent is also an important thing to consider; in this case Peter, who is suffering from genetic disorder, does not wants his doctor to reveal his disorder and other risks to his close family members such as his brothers, niece and nephews.His brothers have a 50% chance of having the disease, while his nieces and nephews have a 25% chance of having the disease.The problem here is for the doctor, who has to choose whether to tell his patient's family members and breaking confidentiality or to not tell them about this disease as this breaks confidentiality. According to utilitarianism, the doctor must tell his patient’s family members as the consequences are highly positive because it can reduce the risk of getting the same disease, therefore creating happiness among them.(Fisher,13).Although, Peter does not wants to inform them of his genetic …show more content…
A perfect duty is an obligation and a promise to not do something, while an imperfect duty is a virtuous action that is not always required.(Fisher,11) Kant states that a perfect duty always takes precedent over an imperfect duty. In Peter’s case, the doctor’s have a perfect duty to keep all his test results strictly confidential. By not sharing his information the doctors fulfill this duty. On the other hand,they also have an imperfect duty to warn his extended family about their possible genetic condition.The doctors would have to actively break confidentiality and search for Peter’s family to fulfill this duty. As previously stated, imperfect duties are secondary to perfect duties hence the doctors can not share the results of Peter’s genetic