Ethics involved in Fetal Genetics Testing

Ethics Involved in Fetal Genetics Testing

Introduction

The birth, growth and upbringing of children are the most important factor in the life of a parent. However, this health and growth is not always possible to achieve. There are a number of diseases transmitted in the children by heredity, known as genetic diseases. Therefore, medical-genetic examinations are undertaken after conception to inform the parents of any possible disorders in the conceived offspring. This is known as genetic diagnostic testing or prenatal diagnosis testing. While the advancements in the field of medicine are increasingly aimed at successful prenatal treatments to ensure a healthy delivery, it is often in ethical realms that people do not seem to appreciate or encourage the idea (Hugman, 2003). Families that consciously plan for a pregnancy are increasingly worried about the health of the unborn child. Therefore, more and more expectant parents are turning to doctors for advice on genetic diseases. This essay presents both views in agreement and argument to this medical revolution, highlighting key ethical issues.

Discussion

Ethical regulation of medical practices is known since the time of Hippocrates. However, the rapid development of genetics (and other life sciences) has set an entirely new ethical issue relating to the possible practical application of new knowledge. Genetic testing before birth of a child is subjected to various pros and cons; that forms a substantial topic of study for bioethical scientists and students (Hill et.al, 1998).

Techniques

Prenatal Diagnostic techniques for testing the genetics include two types, namely, invasive and noninvasive techniques. Invasive techniques involve risk of fetal loss by accidental injury to the pregnancy. This risk varies according to the technique and operator's experience (from 1 300 to 1000 pregnancies). An important procedure in this context is the Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS). CVS involves taking a small sample of chorionic (placental future) entered with a needle into the uterus. Gynecologist performs this procedure starting from 10-11 weeks. Preliminary pregnancy results relative fetal chromosomes prepared after 3 days, after consulting a gynecologist, and the biopsy (Jacques et.al, 2004).

Source: http://AtlasGeneticsOncology.org/Educ/PrenatID30055ES.html

Non-invasive techniques assess the risk of fetal diseases by ultrasound and biochemical techniques; and analyze the thickness of the neck at week 13 for the risk of Down syndrome, measurement of alpha fetoprotein for spina bifida, etc. The patient must know the risk of birth under such circumstances. The personal or family history of hereditary diseases, the age of the woman and the justification of prenatal diagnosis are some of the potential areas for diagnosis (Harmon, 2005). In addition to these, genetic amniocentesis is a procedure where a doctor gynecologist introduces a needle into the uterus through the anterior abdominal wall and the muscle of the uterus. The gynecologist then takes a small amount of amniotic fluid from the uterus and exfoliates the surface of its skin. In the future, fetal cells isolated from the fluid are sent for genetic research or testing.

It is important to realize that all these methods are carried out by experienced professionals in ...