Telling a brother who does not want to know
- Kind
- Role-play
Prompt
Imagine I am your older sister. I have just learned that I carry a gene that gives me a high chance of developing a serious illness in my forties, and our younger brother has a one in two chance of carrying it too. He has told us more than once that he never wants to hear about family health risks. Pretend I am your sister and I am asking you whether we should tell him. What would you say to me?
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After you practice: what this question tests and how to approach it
What this question tests
- Empathy and compassion
- Communication
- Ethical reasoning
How to approach this question
This panel interview role-play tests whether you can comfort a frightened sister while respecting your brother's clear wish not to hear about family health risks. Start with your sister: acknowledge what she's just learned and how she's feeling before you discuss your brother. Then weigh his stated right not to know against what the information might mean for his own choices, such as planning a family. Ask aloud what you'd want to know, such as whether his wish was ever about news this serious. Consider middle paths, such as telling him that family health information exists and asking whether he wants it. Speak warmly in role, and reach a clear recommendation the two of you can make together.
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