From Hallowell: “…previous research suggests that genetic testing may, indeed, lead to negative emotions such as guilt, blame and resentment within the family and these may have a deleterious effect on family relationships (e.g. Tibben et al. 1992, Chapple et al. 1995, Fanos and Johnson 1995).”
What is this deleterious effect? The existence of blame in the genetic responsibility sphere is hardly surprising, however within the prevalent moral code and systems of justice blame normally leads to punishment. To my knowledge there are no laws that will punish a parent for bringing an ill or disabled child into the world (yet), even if it done so knowingly. Is the fracture in family relationships resulting from genetic testing derived from the need to punish for genetic harm? If a narrative of agency and blame (as opposed to fatalism) is adopted then the punishment will probably take the form of social vengeance: interpersonal manipulations, alienation or estrangement.
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