Ethical Aspects of Prenatal DNA Testing

Žana Stanić; Zlatko Hrgović; Rajko Fureš; Iva Vusić; Marko Lagančić

doi:10.1055/a-1904-8406

Zeitschrift für Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie, Table of Contents

Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol 2022; 226(05): 300-303
DOI: 10.1055/a-1904-8406

Review

Ethical Aspects of Prenatal DNA Testing

Žana Stanić

¹Department for Integrative Gynecology, Obstetrics and Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Zabok General Hospital and Croatian Veterans Hospital, Zabok, Croatia

²Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia

,

Zlatko Hrgović

³Women's Health Clinic, J. W. Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

,

Rajko Fureš

¹Department for Integrative Gynecology, Obstetrics and Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Zabok General Hospital and Croatian Veterans Hospital, Zabok, Croatia

²Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia

,

Iva Vusić

⁴Health Center of Bjelovar-Bilogora County, Bjelovar, Croatia

,

Marko Lagančić

⁵Emergency Department, University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) first-trimester screening for fetal aneuploidies, as a non-invasive, safe, and rather accurate method, has changed prenatal screening policies all over the world. Owing to aggressive marketing, cfDNA screening tests exhibit global popularity and a rapid spread in routine prenatal care. However, wide availability of the tests, together with observed difficulties in the test’s interpretation, bring to light several serious ethical concerns. To date it is vital to identify and address the most important ethical, legal, and social issues regarding prenatal screening tests. Furthermore, guidelines and restrictions in certain cfDNA screening advancements that may provide information regarding fetal genetic traits of unknown clinical significance, conditions with variable penetrance, or late-onset conditions, should be considered.

Key words

cell-free DNA - prenatal diagnosis - noninvasive prenatal testing - first trimester screening - ethics

Full Text

References

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