From clinical genetics to genomic-based public health screening programmes: duty-based ethics as a guide for responsible implementation

Journal article

Abstract A renewed focus on disease prevention has placed genomics firmly in the spotlight. Policymakers and health services across Europe are considering ways to facilitate disease prevention and early disease detection through population-level initiatives such as newborn genomic screening and polygenic risk scores. This commentary explores, through the lens of duty-based ethics, the ethical considerations in the design of genomic screening programmes. As genomic medicine becomes embedded in public health strategies, a robust ethical framework is essential to ensure that its promises are realised equitably and responsibly.

Authors: Carley, H; Slade, I

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer Nature [academic journals on nature.com]
• Journal: European Journal of Human Genetics
• Publication date: 2026-05-16
• Acceptance date: 2026-05-05
• DOI: 10.1038/s41431-026-02133-7
• EISSN: 1476-5438
• ISSN: 1018-4813
• Language: English
• Keywords: Disease; Genomics; Personalized medicine; Human genetics; Ethical issues; Genomic medicine; Public health; Precision medicine; Newborn screening; Medical genetics