VIEWS OF GROUP OF PHISICIANS, NURCES AND MIDWIVES ON ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN MEDICAL GENETICS, IN TEHRAN

Abstract

In 1998 international guidelines on principles of ethics in medical genetics and genetic services was edited and provided by the World Health Organization. These principles are Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficience, Proportionality of beneficence and non-malificience, and Justice. The World Health Organization considers the observance of these principles highly important and expects all member nations to adjust these principles in to their social and cultural conditions. Hence, attitudes of people, particularly those directly involved with patients, are imperative. In this investigation, the aim was to determine the attitudes of 545 individuals among physicians, nurses, and midwives, by questioners. The data collected, showed that these principles are not always viewed positively. The highest agreements were on the principle of proportionality (88-91%), followed by beneficence (75-89%).