Is the Use of Fetal Genetic Screening Unethical?
The issue whether fetal genetic screening is unethical has been contentious both in the media and society for a long time. People hold diverse opinions on the matter whereby some affirm that it is ethical while others maintain that it is immoral (Jong, Maya, & Lith, 2015). The supporters of fetal genetic testing assert that the practice is done only for helpful reasons such as recognizing abnormalities and possibly offering timely treatment. Nonetheless, critics maintain that some parents abort the unborn child when the screening results show any abnormalities, which is morally wrong. People willing to use fetal genetic screening ought to be educated first to evaluate the associated advantages and disadvantages to make sound decisions for the unborn child.
Fetal genetic screening is ethical as it only seeks to obtain information in advance for purposes of ensuring opportune treatment. Leaving everything regarding the unborn child to chance is illogical, particularly when there is a reliable and safe approach available to detect complications that could arise (Mozersky et al., 2017). The failure to make use of genetic testing when in a position to do so is deceitful.
Some people affirm that fetal genetic testing is unethical as a positive test for abnormalities or unsought gender with respect to the parents’ culture leads to abortion. Nevertheless, positive test results do not guarantee to disclose the gender of the child (Jong et al., 2015). In this regard, the parents may end up terminating the pregnancy who could have been of the desired gender or whose problem could have been treated.
Fetal genetic screening has been a controversial issue. Some people contend that it is morally correct while others believe that it is unethical. However, in my opinion, fetal genetic screening is ethical, and people should be wise enough to make favorable decisions for the unborn child.
References
Jong, A., Maya, I., & Lith, J. M. (2015). Prenatal screening: Current practice, new developments, ethical challenges. Bioethics, 29(1), 1-8. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=b063bac5-71d2-4723-8657-bb9360731ae3%40sessionmgr4010&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#AN=100010924&db=aph
Mozersky, J., Ravitsky, V., Rapp, R., Michie, M., Chandrasekharan, S., & Allyse, M. (2017). Toward an ethically sensitive implementation of noninvasive prenatal screening in the global context. Hastings Centre Report, 47(2), 41-49. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/detail/detail?vid=4&sid=49c9b343-e5f2-40dd-b03b-b90859a7b04e%40sessionmgr4009&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#AN=121884172&db=aph