DNA tests on fetuses fine as long as it doesn't lead to an abortion
Doctors have started using powerful new DNA tests to screen fetuses for a wider range of genetic abnormalities, spotting more problem pregnancies early but stirring fears that the results will increase abortions as well as confuse and needlessly alarm many couples. The tests, which use "gene chips" to detect much subtler chromosomal variations than standard prenatal testing can, have also triggered complaints that they mark another step toward a society that seeks to weed out aberrations in the quest for the perfect child.
These tests allow couples to harness the latest molecular technology to target the most devastating genetic syndromes, alleviating their worries in some cases and in others identifying abnormalities soon enough to help them prepare to care for an afflicted baby. These tests should NOT be used to find out information to abort the fetus. Misleading results will subject emotionally vulnerable couples to unnecessary anxiety perhaps prompting some to abort healthy pregnancies.
These tests are okay to find whether a person will have an increased risk for cancer, diabetes, mental illness, obesity, addiction and other conditions later in life. These tests would not be okay if they are used to find traits associated with beauty, personality or intelligence. How we use this powerful technology decides whether it's good or bad.
The tests, which cost about $1,600 and are not yet covered by insurance, can detect about 150 known genetic disorders that can cause physical deformities, mental retardation and a host of health and behavioral problems. The choice should not be to terminate a pregnancy when couples get a bad result. The choice should be to have the baby and get ready to care for the child. Once the child is born, there is already a diagnosis and they can get the care they need as soon as possible. That's the biggest advantage.
We want disabled children to be welcomed into the world. If we decide to use prenatal testing to eliminate gene-based disabilities that is unacceptable. The Nazis were trying to do this. We can not say that certain types of lives aren't worth living. My worry is that these tests will be expanded to search for genetic markers that simply predispose children to illnesses later in life, or will someday go further in the quest for "designer" babies, noting that prospective parents are already screening embryos so they can decide whether to have a boy or a girl. What if we decide to abort embryos that are pre-desposed to obesity? These tests could be a slippery slope that we do not want to go down. Again as long as the information is not used to abort children but to inform parents so they can prepare to provide the best possible care for their child, then I am okay with these tests. Otherwise, I think these tests need to be stopped or at least highly regulated.
These tests allow couples to harness the latest molecular technology to target the most devastating genetic syndromes, alleviating their worries in some cases and in others identifying abnormalities soon enough to help them prepare to care for an afflicted baby. These tests should NOT be used to find out information to abort the fetus. Misleading results will subject emotionally vulnerable couples to unnecessary anxiety perhaps prompting some to abort healthy pregnancies.
These tests are okay to find whether a person will have an increased risk for cancer, diabetes, mental illness, obesity, addiction and other conditions later in life. These tests would not be okay if they are used to find traits associated with beauty, personality or intelligence. How we use this powerful technology decides whether it's good or bad.
The tests, which cost about $1,600 and are not yet covered by insurance, can detect about 150 known genetic disorders that can cause physical deformities, mental retardation and a host of health and behavioral problems. The choice should not be to terminate a pregnancy when couples get a bad result. The choice should be to have the baby and get ready to care for the child. Once the child is born, there is already a diagnosis and they can get the care they need as soon as possible. That's the biggest advantage.
We want disabled children to be welcomed into the world. If we decide to use prenatal testing to eliminate gene-based disabilities that is unacceptable. The Nazis were trying to do this. We can not say that certain types of lives aren't worth living. My worry is that these tests will be expanded to search for genetic markers that simply predispose children to illnesses later in life, or will someday go further in the quest for "designer" babies, noting that prospective parents are already screening embryos so they can decide whether to have a boy or a girl. What if we decide to abort embryos that are pre-desposed to obesity? These tests could be a slippery slope that we do not want to go down. Again as long as the information is not used to abort children but to inform parents so they can prepare to provide the best possible care for their child, then I am okay with these tests. Otherwise, I think these tests need to be stopped or at least highly regulated.
posted by Oma's blog at
4:35 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home