The article discusses ethical problems such as the labeling effect, the risks of prediction, consent, and undesired effects. One of the main ethical problems raised by early prevention programs is the risk that the early identification of future delinquents and any intervention aimed specifically at heading off the development of anti-social behavior might produce a stigmatizing effect that actually paves the way to delinquency. In order to implement prevention programs, valid consent must be obtained from the individuals involved and particularly from their families. To this end, the objectives and organization of the programs must be illustrated in detail so that those involved can clearly understand what they are involved in. A particularly delicate point concerns the possible use of coercion to participate and the kind of coercion exerted. The article discusses in detail the failure of “the Cambridge-Somerville project” and uses it to demonstrate some undesired effects of early intervention programs. References