ABSTRACT
Those who do genetic counseling agree that it should always be done in a morally neutral manner. This is reflected in professional discussions of the goals of genetic counseling, in the norms that should govern the behavior of clinical geneticists and counselors, and in discussions of the techniques and methods that counselors should use to attain their goals. The Code of Ethics promulgated by the National Society of Genetic Counselors provides a useful summary of the goals that professionals agree ought guide the process of counseling. The goal of simply providing information that the client can use to make a decision guided by their own values has been omnipresent throughout the evolution of the specialty of clinical genetics in the United States over the past 20 years. The norms of genetic counseling, as articulated in numerous books, articles, and codes of ethics, have—despite changes in the professional identity of those doing the counseling—remained relatively constant for the past 20 years.
