Abstract
There are more and more possibilities to screen individuals early for health problems or risks thereof. When it comes to screening, it is tempting to think: the sooner a disease (risk) is detected, the better. But screening also has disadvantages, such as distress and fear among participants and the need for further diagnostics in the event of a positive result, with all the related medical risks and burden on the health care system. In short, screening is only useful if the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. In this article we discuss - by means of examples - ethical considerations relevant for weighing the benefits and disadvantages of screening. In closing we reflect on future legislation pertaining to screening that - in our opinion - leaves too much leeway for screening of which the disadvantages outweigh the benefits.
Translated title of the contribution | Don't lose sight of the disadvantages of screening: Concerns on proposed amendments of the Dutch Population Screening Act |
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Original language | Dutch |
Journal | Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde |
Volume | 166 |
Publication status | Published - 12 Jul 2022 |