Abstract

In the last twenty years, genetic counselling has become a well introduced clinical institution in Germany, established at clinical or human genetic institutes of the universities. There are typical differences in the counselling process before or during gravidity, and there is a need of various ethical reflections and dis'courses with clients and amongst all who are engaged in such situations. Screening programs are in danger to promote automatisms in clinical procedures. New diagnostic techniques raise new problems: Who wants to know deseases that may appear in future and who does not? Is there a right not to know? This is exemplified by Huntington's desease. Patients are also confronted with eugenic options, and this is one of the main topics in the discussion within patient's committees.