title: Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis: will it affect the uptake of prenatal carrier screening?
abstract: We report a study which examined whether the decision of 135 couples to accept prenatal cystic fibrosis (CF) carrier screening would be influenced by the advent of gene therapy. A majority (91 couples; 67 per cent) felt that gene therapy for CF would not influence their decision to be screened. Twenty-two couples (16 per cent) stated that they would decline to be screened and an equal number felt ambivalent. Even if the life expectancy of a CF sufferer were increased by gene therapy to normal, 78 per cent of couples would still wish to avail themselves of prenatal carrier screening. A majority of women who decline screening do so because they are opposed to termination of pregnancy. The availability of gene therapy could increase the proportion of couples who accept screening.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, U.K.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mennie
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Compton
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Liston
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Brock
mesh_terms: D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires