title: [Ontological and ethical status of anencephalic fetus].
abstract: Due to advances in prenatal techniques, it is now possible to diagnose malformations in utero, such as anencephaly, which in the past was only known at birth. Having knowledge of a malformation before birth, the moment in which almost every individual obtains social and legal protection, puts the malformed fetus in a vulnerable situation toward possible actions that lead to the interruption of pregnancy. The aim of this article is to analyze different positions about the quality and reality of the anencephalic fetus, its human condition and the care that the fetus and mother deserve.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Centro de Bioética, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. besio@med.puc.cl
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Besio R
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Besio H