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Ethical Issues With Prenatal Genetic Testing

1862 Words8 Pages

Prenatal genetic testing and screening allows physicians to determine genetic defects in fetuses. There are two different types of testing that can be done; diagnostic and screening. Screening can only predict or tell the chance that a fetus has certain birth defects. Diagnostic tests can actually determine whether or not a baby has these certain defects. Most testing is done between weeks 11 and 22 of pregnancy. Screening tests include; nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound, integrated screen, and quad screen. The nuchal translucency ultrasound screens for the chances of a chromosome abnormality by measuring the small space behind a fetuses neck. Both the integrated screen and quad screens are done by testing blood samples to predict the chance …show more content…

When parents elect to have children, is it morally acceptable for them to choose what kind of child they will have?
Ethical Issues
• Relativism - right and wrong actions vary between persons.
• Deontology - There is a duty as parents to care for a child, regardless of its health state.
• Teleology - actions are based solely on the consequences of our actions.
• Respect for persons - Fetuses with defects should not be seen as having less value.
• Self-determination - people are free to make decisions based on their own reasoning.
• Veracity - to make decisions, people need to have all relevant information.
• Principle of utility – what will produce the greatest amount of happiness?
• Catholic moral tradition – “commitment to the promotion and defense of human dignity from conception to death” (Bennett-Woods, 2005).
• Kantian ethics – categorical imperative.
Ethical Questions
• Is it prejudicial to determine whether or not a fetus should be allowed life based on whether they will have certain disabilities or defects?
• Should these tests be available to everyone for any reason, or should they be only done when indicated they are needed or there is a …show more content…

It should not be routine. However I do not believe that diagnostic testing should be done in all cases. Only when there is a necessity or a known risk. Such as when screening shows a high probability or when the parents have or have family history of specific genetic defects or diseases. Unnecessary worry or concern to parents can happen when screening is done. It can predict a possibility but not a guarantee of a defect or disease. Many parents I believe would chose to abort a fetus based on only probabilities, or simply because they want the guarantee of a healthy child. However, if parents feel that they would not be willing or able to care for a child with these defects that can be screened and tested for, then the tests should be made available to them early as possible so they can make a decision about abortion or adoption vs. keeping the baby. To me, the least harm is done both to parents and innocent child to have an abortion rather than have a child that you cannot or will not care

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