The issues for counseling become correspondingly more complex, largely because of the perception that ethical issues concerning complex behavioral traits are more controversial than those for medical disorders. .
On the other hand, the geneticist has an obligation, based on the fiduciary nature of the professional-patient relationship, first to provide information that is as complete as possible and, second, to respect the choice of patients who exercise their right of personal autonomy in making their own decisions about their own families (Pelias 1991). At a time when knowledge is changing, there is also a need to warn families to anticipate new information and perspectives during their lifetime. These quandaries are far from settled, because each genetic-counseling scenario creates a new set of questions derived from a unique family with unique values. Perhaps the prudent path for the geneticist is to provide complete, forthright information, with deference to the personal, even if sometimes questionable, decisions of persons who seek genetic information. .
There are many ethical dilemmas inherent in human genetics; some are clearly unique to behavioral genetics. Some professionals have suggested slowing the pace of research, specifically in the field of behavioral genetics, until the ethical issues are resolved. This proposal fails to acknowledge the fact that ethical issues continually are evolving in response to innovations in genetic knowledge and technologies. Not only would such an approach ignore the immediacy of present ethical questions, but it would compound the problems that will unfold in the future: answers to present ethical dilemmas do not necessarily solve or avoid any future questions. The dynamism in research and ethics must be appreciated, as well as the basic nature of the relationship between professionals in genetics and the people who rely on geneticists for information and help.