Prenatal diagnosis and the trouble with eugenics.
In the past few years we have witnessed huge steps forwards in reproductive technology. Specifically genetic diagnosis has created a range of possibilities. This carries along benefits for prenatal care as well as carrying along unprecedented ethical dilemmas that demonstrate some more problematic sides of several basic notions in medical ethics. These new technologies also led to a widespread public ethical debate on the desirability of these technologies. Concerns are felt specifically with the potential eugenic application of these technologies. To have a correct overview of the possibilities to a new eugenics, one needs to explore the actual developments in the field of human genetics in recent years. This is important to avoid deviating from what is actually occurring into the realm of science fiction.
University of Maastricht, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Health Ethics and Society, Maastrich, The Netherlands.
Laurens
L
Landeweerd
D005053:Eugenics; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000941:ethics*