Genetic Screening in First and Second Trimester According to the March of Dimes, 1 out of 33 babies are born each year in the United States with a birth defect (Darman, 2014). There are over 4,000 different kinds of birth defects, and most can be tested for by genetic screening. Some defects can be very minor, but some also may be so severe that surgical treatment is needed. There are many genetic screenings that can be done in the first and second trimester to check for risks, but they still have their positive and negative effects including: false negative tests, ethical and legal concerns. Speaking about this, genetic screening is a type of medical test that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins (What is Genetic Testing, 2016). Genetic screening can also can also confirm rather or not the baby will be getting the suspected genetic condition, or the chance of developing or passing a genetic disorder (What is Genetic Testing, 2016). Genetic screening is completely voluntary and has many emotional aspects that can develop behind it. Along with rather or not you think the screening would be a good or bad thing, but there are genetic counselors that can provide …show more content…
The consent needs to be very clarified with the patient on their behalf to make sure they are aware of the circumstances. The notion of the screening being voluntary needs to be elaborative. Counselling should be explained and available for the patient that would voluntary undergo genetic screenings. The patients also need to be aware of the chance of increasing stigmatization. Some believe that it is not right to terminate the abnormal babies and only keep the ‘perfect’ ones, while others believe that they would be relieving the baby of the amount of stress and discomfort they would have for the rest of their lives (The Nuffield Council,