Confidentiality In Counseling For X-Linked Conditions

Genetic counseling in a synthetic fragile-X family is used to illustrate some dilemmas which may arise from the genetic counselor's wish to respect the patient's confidence. What is the counselor's obligation towards family members who are unaware that they are carriers? Should the counselor try to avoid disclosing information concerning such family members to the patient, and if so - how? May the future father of an affected fetus be prevented from participating in the reproductive decisions concerning that fetus, out of respect for the mother's wishes?