Screening for genetic disorders: therapeutic abortion and IVF

• Published in: Journal of medical ethics Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 43 - 47
• Main Authors: Michael, M, Buckle, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics 01-03-1990; British Medical Association; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; Society for the Study of Medical Ethics; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Abnormalities; Abortion; Abortion, Therapeutic; Bioethics; Cell culture techniques; Children; Embryos; Ethical aspects; Ethics, Medical; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Fertilization in vitro, Human; Fetus; Genetic diseases; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Genetic disorders; Genetic screening; Genetic Testing - methods; Health screening; Human fertilization in vitro; Humans; In vitro fertilization; Medical screening; Methods; Patient Selection; Pregnancy; Risk Assessment; Sex Determination Analysis; Therapeutic abortion; Value of Life; Analytical Approach; Genetics and Reproduction
• ISSN: 0306-6800; 1473-4257
• DOI: 10.1136/jme.16.1.43

This paper examines a proposal to make use of IVF techniques to provide an alternative to therapeutic abortion of fetuses with genetic abnormalities. We begin by describing the proposed procedure, and then show that, considered in itself, it is morally on a par with therapeutic abortion. However, once the wider practical implications are brought into view, the proposed new procedure loses its initial appeal. The pros and cons are not sufficiently clear-cut entirely to rule out the IVF procedure, so the paper concludes by indicating some further complications which may follow, should the procedure come to be adopted.