The right not to know does not to apply to HIV testing

Andorno continues to defend a general ‘right not to know’ (at least in the context of genetic information), grounded in autonomy, which may only be overridden in the interests of others. We stated this position asClaim-B^A, it is always morally wrong to override a competent adult's desire not to know unless disclosure might prevent serious harm to others.

In our article, we suggested that Andorno would probably deny that people have a right not to know their HIV result (Claim-B, which we also deny) because disclosure of HIV might prevent serious harm to others. In his response to our paper, Andorno makes clear that this is, in fact, his view. His reason is that while people have an interest not to know, grounded in autonomy, this is outweighed by the interest that other people have in not being harmed:[T]he value of autonomy in this context is not strong enough to justify the recognition of a right not to know.

Andorno makes clear that this does not negate the fact that people retain a right to refuse an HIV test (Claim-A, which we also defend). He argues that while autonomy grounds are insufficient to defend a right not to know an HIV result, they are sufficient to defend a right to refuse an HIV test. We find this distinction problematic. If the harm posed to others overrides an individual's interest in not knowing their HIV result, why does it …