Ethical aspects of whole-genome noninvasive prenatal testing
https://doi.org/10.25557/2073-7998.2023.11.3-12
Abstract
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a molecular genetic method of assessing the risks of fetal chromosomal abnormalities from cell-free fetal DNA by isolating and sequencing cell-free fetal and placental DNA fragments in maternal blood (cell-free fetoplacental DNA). NIPT has been in use for the past decade, so as a consequence, there is still no consensus or solution regarding the ethical issues surrounding the testing. Gender selection, the range of risks assessed, genetic counseling, discrimination against children with chromosomal abnormalities and their parents, and the «routinization» of the method are the main ethical problems physicians of different specialties and patients face. The impact of NIPT results on the reproductive choices of couples is hard to underestimate, so the involvement of various medical and other specialists in the system of prenatal screening requires particular consultative attention and assistance. Keywords: non-invasive prenatal testing, bioethics, prenatal diagnosis, prenatal screening, chromosomal abnormality.
Keywords
non-invasive prenatal testing,
bioethics,
prenatal diagnosis,
prenatal screening,
chromosomal abnormality
Supporting agencies: The study was carried out with financial support from the Government of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
About the Authors
A. A. Potapov
LLC «Evogen»
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
18, floor 2, room III, Lesteva st., 3115162, Moscow
M. T. Kaplanova
LLC «Evogen»
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
18, floor 2, room III, Lesteva st., 3115162, Moscow
A. M. Galaktionova
LLC «Evogen»
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
18, floor 2, room III, Lesteva st., 3115162, Moscow
E. E. Baranova
LLC «Evogen»; Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
18, floor 2, room III, Lesteva st., 3115162, Moscow
2/1 Barrikadnaya st., Moscow, 125993
O. V. Sagaydak
LLC «Evogen»
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
18, floor 2, room III, Lesteva st., 3115162, Moscow
V. L. Izhevskaya
N.P. Bochkov Research Centre for Medical Genetics
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
1, Moskvorechie st., Moscow, 115478
A. G. Denisov
Department of Health of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug; Salekhard District Clinical Hospital
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
72, Respubliki st., Salekhard, 629008
39, Mira st., Salekhard, 629001
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Review
For citations:
Potapov A.A., Kaplanova M.T., Galaktionova A.M., Baranova E.E., Sagaydak O.V., Izhevskaya V.L., Denisov A.G. Ethical aspects of whole-genome noninvasive prenatal testing. Medical Genetics. 2023;22(11):3-12. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25557/2073-7998.2023.11.3-12
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