title: Noninvasive Prenatal Genetic Testing: Current and Emerging Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues.
abstract: Noninvasive prenatal genetic testing (NIPT) for chromosomal aneuploidy involving the analysis of cell-free fetal DNA became commercially available in 2011. The low false-positive rate of NIPT, which reduces unnecessary prenatal invasive diagnostic procedures, has led to broad clinician and patient adoption. We discuss the ethical, legal, and social issues raised by rapid and global dissemination of NIPT. The number of women using NIPT is anticipated to expand, and the number of conditions being tested for will continue to increase as well, raising concerns about the routinization of testing and negative impacts on informed decision making. Ensuring that accurate and balanced information is available to all pregnant women and that access to NIPT is equitable will require policy guidance from regulators, professional societies, and payers. Empirical evidence about stakeholders' perspectives and experiences will continue to be essential in guiding policy development so that advances in NIPT can be used effectively and appropriately to improve prenatal care.
authors: Duke Science & Society, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708.
authors: Mollie A
authors: MA
authors: Minear
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Alessi
authors: Megan
authors: M
authors: Allyse
authors: Marsha
authors: M
authors: Michie
authors: Subhashini
authors: S
authors: Chandrasekharan
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000782:Aneuploidy; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D018973:Intellectual Property; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010820:Physicians / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends
keywords: disability and reproductive rights; fetal genome sequencing; genetic counseling; informed decision making; regulation and oversight