Ethical Issues Regarding Prenatal Testing

When parents know the fetus is “special”, they may be chosen to terminate the pregnancy. Thus, in general prenatal screening helps to detect congenital disabilities but is also thought to be the 'remedy' selective abortion (Seller, 1976).

"...Women who were denied abortions 'Felt more regret and anger' and 'less relief and happiness' than women who had abortions” (“Should Abortion”). This proves that being denied an abortion when needed or wanted can have devastating consequences on a woman's mental health. Women in these situations felt helpless and probably do not know what to do with their future. Finally, abortions give women the opportunity to not deliver a baby when it is revealed that it has a deadly or incurable disease. Fetuses can have anencephaly where the brain doesn't grow, limb–body wall complex where are the organs grow outside of the body, and Down Syndrome. "'Many couples... don't have the resources, don't have the emotional stamina, don't have the family support!' [to raise a child with Down syndrome]."

This brings about many ethical questions and moral concerns. The practice that likely incites the most controversy in selective abortion is sex selective reduction. As technology has advanced, the availability of ultrasound technology has provided practitioners with the ability to identify many fetal characteristics, one of which is gender (Higgins, 2016). Sex-selective reduction mirrors the practice of so called “gendercide” that occurs in countries such as China and India. In these countries sex selective abortion is used to create a population that is predominantly male. To American’s these methods may seem inhumane, and there are many organizations in the US and around the world attempting to stop gender specific abortion. What many Americans probably do not realize is these practices occur in the United States as well, and they have for a long time. While these methods are considered legal in the United States, the ethical implications of aborting fetuses based on sex creates an entirely new concern. The practice of selective abortion in general has created a number of ethical questions for society, and those practicing in the medical

Wade and even though more than four decades have passed since the passing of legalizing abortions. “No other country or culture has the struggle of ‘choice’ versus ‘life’ been fought so hard, or for so long. This isn’t surprising when you reflect that: The United States is the birthplace of the modern feminist movement.” (Hitchens). The debate of life vs. choice has been argued for many years and it is due to the many revolutionary changes in the history of the country. “Who, we are asked, dares claim the right to force a women to give birth, perhaps to a child that is the product of rape or incest?” (Hitchens). After women find out that they are pregnant by rape or incest most doctors recommend terminations because of possible diseases that the fetus can develop. Jerry Muller of the Catholic University of America “stress that it was family values as much as anything which mandated the abortion of fetuses with hereditary disorders such as Tay-Sachs disease, because many couples carry the gene would not risk having children at all if the were deprived of a choice in that manner”(Hitchens). Many who wish for children sadly become aware of hereditary diseases that affect the developing fetus and most couples rather terminate than to see their future child and themselves as well go through a suffering and painful time. Couples rather

Since the trial of Roe vs. Wade the topic of abortion has become more commonly discussed among Americans. In addition, as time progresses there are new scientific discoveries that are being used the medical field; for example, prenatal diagnosis, “determining the sex of a fetus by an ultrasound scanning” (Junhong). Furthermore, with these medical advances it has created an issue of selective abortion, “abortions procured solely on account of a fetus's race, sex, or disability” (Berry. This essay discusses the moral judgement of the fetus by considering the case study, the utilitarian reasoning, and the Kantian reasoning when evaluating when it is morally right to use prenatal diagnosis for selective abortions.

Fetal research lends credibility to those who contemplate abortion and wish to rationalize their selfish action as in some way altruistic. Although abortion would not disappear were fetal research to end completely, still there may be some people whose ambivalence about abortion is tipped in favor of termination based on this factor. Although the law indicates that consent to donate the fetus must be secured only after the consent for the abortion has taken place, widespread knowledge of fetal research alters the cultural climate, even if only slightly, to be more favorable to abortion. This factor partially explains why the National Abortion Rights Action League and Planned Parenthood have been tireless advocates for such research.

The status of abortion is one that will always be argued amongst the pro-life community and the pro-choice community. Abortion is the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks. (Dictionary) Jane and John are two accomplished individuals who put their careers ahead of having children. When Jane became pregnant they discovered that the baby had Down syndrome (Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes lifelong mental retardation, developmental delays and other problems. Down syndrome varies in severity, so developmental problems range from moderate to serious.) (Staff) They did not want have a disabled child, so they decide to abort. In this essay I will argue that it is morally wrong for Jane to have an abortion. Firstly I will present the “extreme” conservative argument to support my view, secondly I will consider one objection to my argument and finally I will provide a response to the objection.

With increasing developments in biotechnology there are now more choices than ever for prospective parents when they decide to start a family. This induces demand for philosophers and ethicists to analyze the moral pertinence of such practices around the world for a wide range of situations. In this paper, I will present the arguments of Dena Davis against sex selective techniques and the subsequent arguments by Sophia Wong that link sex selection and disability de-selection. I will subsequently evaluate Wong’s extension and its viability within the argument established by Davis and defend my conclusion that it is indeed comparable and equivalent arguments due to the congruence of gender and disability expectations in the United States.

Within his paper, Implications of Prenatal a Diagnosis for the Human Right to Life, Leo R. Kass ventures into the reasoning and consequences behind abortion due to genetic defects. The paper begins with the need for justification as to whether abortion is chosen or not. No matter what the decision there will always be an expectation for a given answer, whether a woman chooses abortion or not society will almost as if require reasoning behind the decision. Despite the opinions and differences between people, the expectation of reasoning remains constant. Not only does Kass explain that there is a need for justification, he also provides specific justifications commonly used and defended. Although it has been extensively proven that abortion cannot be justified by claiming that the fetus is merely a part

Technology have improved so much in couple of years. Different ways like prenatal screening and preimplantation have developed with it. This have caused abortions and mutations of gene leading to children born with down syndromes for example. Many people have gone to seek prenatal screening because of fear of having children who are disabled, which have lead them to increase in rates of number in fetus’s termination. Due to the issues on abortion, prenatal screening has become a very controversial problem in the society, leading to both legal and bioethical problems caused by technology advancement. This technology advancement has led to many objections being considered as critiques that are leading to prenatal screening.

Introduction Severe abnormalities discovered during prenatal screening, can create a dilemma for the parents as well the medical practitioners. According to Warren (1997), " Moral status is a means of specifying entities or beings towards which we believe ourselves to have moral obligations, as well as something of what we take those obligations to be " (p. 9). This paper will explore the moral status of the fetus based on the five moral theories, “human properties”, “cognitive properties”, “moral agency”, “sentience” and “relationships”. Fetal Abnormality Case Study The actors in this case study Jessica, Marco, Aunt Maria and Dr. Wilson all have varying beliefs on the moral status of the fetus, but ultimately Jessica and Marco have to decide

Determining what is considered an appropriate plan of care for a patient has always been an area that has taken on large ethical consideration, especially when the patient does not see eye-to-eye with health professionals in the suggested direction of care. Having a congenital disorder resulting in intellectual and developmental delays has the ability to impact the way an individual may process information. Once this part of an individual’s mental capacity is impaired, it may significantly influence the extent to which this person is able to make rational decisions, especially if they are not aware of the potential consequences of their actions. Taking a paternalistic perspective, and choosing to intervene through abortion and sterilization is the proper solution, as it will likely result in more good for Kelly in the long run, than it will if is allowed to continue with the pregnancy, and raise the child.

Down’s syndrome is a common chromosomal disorder effecting the physical and cognitive development of a person. An individual with Down’s syndrome typically has numerous health ailments, which require intense medical care and create great medical costs. A person with Down’s syndrome requires special schools and invasive therapies, which can also be costly. Many believe people with Down’s syndrome do not live a fulfilled life, compared to a typical person because many cannot live independently or be successful in life. To avoid costly expenses and endless time and effort to help a Down’s person be happy and healthy, many believe it’s best to terminate a Down’s syndrome pregnancy to avoid dealing with all the hardships and issues that may arise. Some families cannot handle the emotional and financial hardships. Not only can living with Down’s syndrome be considered a problem in society, the healthcare costs may be problematic, as well as the issue of abortion.

Jackie and Michael are expecting their first baby. Jackie is 32 years old and is in good health. She is 15 weeks pregnant and wants to do everything possible to ensure a healthy baby. Even though they do not have risk factors within their families, she and Michael decide to have an amniocentesis.

When considering non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), it is important to discuss ethical considerations. There are numerous features of genetic testing that may result in experiencing ethical issues such as the restrictions as to what NIPT is able to provide in specific situations when screening for foetal abnormalities, and what to do with that information resulting from the test. NIPT tests are safe and can be performed in the early stages of pregnancy. Due to the numerous features involved between ethics and the genetic testing, it may become evident that gaining informed consent and the decision-making process may become significantly more troublesome. Currently, NIPT is only available privately and not on the public health system which provides further ethical dilemmas regarding right to access healthcare. Other potential ethical problems surround selective abortion for minor abnormalities and the potential to test for adult onset disease and non-medical problems.