[Social and family considerations in genetic counselling].

Genetic knowledge can be viewed as an important tool in the prevention of hereditary disease. This article discusses the social issues that the link between genetics and prevention raises in cancer genetic counselling and testing. In particular, the moral dilemmas which health professionals and patients face in relation to disclosing genetic information to kin are described. The authors argue that questions about disclosing information and balancing autonomy and responsibility are not only ethical questions but biopolitical issues.