Problems affecting the community. Population screening.

Screening an apparently healthy population for metabolic disorders raises many ethical problems. 
It is necessary to differentiate clearly between screening programmes of a 
service nature and those which are really research projects. Screening for 
phenylketonuria, histidinaemia, galactosaemia, cystic fibrosis, Tay-and Sachs disease are discussed. These 
disorders demonstrate some of the advantages and undoubtedly difficult problems which 
screening presents. It is essential that no one should lose sight 
of the fact that the aim of screening is to help 
the individual and the community. The psychological aspects of screening are 
very important and continuing thought must be given to the fact 
that biochemical abnormalities do not necessarily equate with disease. 