Genetic Screening:
- Genetic screening is used to:
- Identify carriers: heterozygotes with normal phenotypes. This can be followed up with counselling to help potential parents make a decision.
- Embryo testing: a sample of cells from a developing foetus can be analysed. The sample is obtained either by amniocentesis (withdrawing amniotic fluid around 15-17 weeks of pregnancy) or by chorionic villus sampling (cells removed from the placenta at 8-12 weeks).
- Both techniques carry a risk of miscarriage.
- Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis: used to test an embryo created by IVF.
- Pros and Cons of genetic screening:
| Advantages of genetic testing | Disadvantages of genetic testing |
| § Can opt for termination.
§ Can get counselling. § Can buy special medical equipment / care in preparation for birth. § Can opt not to have children (if parents are tested.) § Utilitarian argument. |
§ Abortion is morally wrong.
§ Tests can be inaccurate. § Small chance of test resulting in miscarriage. § Unnatural procedure. § Embryos have a right to life. § Embryos cannot give informed consent. |