Genetic ignorance, moral obligations and social duties

In a contribution to The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, Professor Rosa mond Rhodes argues that individuals sometimes have an obligation to know ab out their genetic disorders, because this is required by their status as au tonomous persons. Her analysis, which is based on Kant's concept of autonom y and Aristotle's notion of friendship, is extended hen to consequentialist concerns. These are of paramount importance if, as we believe and Professo r Rhodes herself implies, the Kantian and Aristotelian doctrines can be hel pful only in the sphere of private morality, not in the public realm. Bette r tools for assessing the right to genetic ignorance as an issue of public policy can, we contend, be found in Mill's ideas concerning liberty and the prevention of harm. Our own conclusion, based on the Millian way of thinki ng, is that individuals probably do have the right to remain in ignorance i n the cases Professor Rhodes presents as examples of a duty to know.