Prenatal diagnosis and abortion for congenital abnormalities :is it ethical to provide one without the other?

Prenatal diagnosis and abortion for congenital abnormalities :is it ethical to provide one without the other?

Ballantyne, Angela
Newson, Ainsley
Luna, Florencia
Ashcroft, Richard

2009/08/00

English

20090800

This target article considers the ethical implications of providing prenatal diagnosis (PND) and antenatal screening services to detect fetal abnormalities in jurisdictions that prohibit abortion for these conditions. This unusual health policy context is common in the Latin American region. Congenital conditions are often untreated or under-treated in developing countries due to limited health resources, leading many women/couples to prefer termination of affected pregnancies. Three potential harms derive from the provision of PND in the absence of legal and safe abortion for these conditions: psychological distress, unjust distribution of burdens between socio-economic classes, and financial burdens for families and society. We present Iran as a comparative case study where recognition of these ethical issues has led to the liberalization of abortion laws for fetuses with thalassemia. We argue that physicians, geneticists and policymakers have an ethical and professional duty of care to advocate for change in order to ameliorate these harms.

15.2

15.2;12.4.2;21.1

abortion--[pri];congenital disorders--[pri];international aspects--[pri];legal aspects--[pri];moral policy--[pri];prenatal diagnosis--[pri];public policy--[pri];selective abortion--[pri];socioeconomic factors--[pri]

case studies;comparative studies;developed countries;developing countries;genetic disorders;genetic services;health services accessibility;illegal abortion;justice;moral obligations;pregnant women;religion;social impact;thalassemia

Latin America--[pri]

Brazil;Iran

American Journal of Bioethics.2009 August; 9(8):48-56

36

ja

journal

l

49 refs.

See comments in:American Journal of Bioethics 2009 August; 9(8): 57-72

1536-0075