ror.org/0161xgx34
Abstracts
Abstract
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) from maternal blood has recently entered clinical practice in many countries, including Canada. This test can be performed early during pregnancy to detect Down syndrome and other conditions. While NIPT promises numerous benefits, it also has challenging ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI). This paper reviews concerns currently found in the literature on the ELSI of NIPT. We make four observations. First, NIPT seems to exacerbate some of the already existing concerns raised by other prenatal tests (amniocentesis and maternal serum screening) such as threats to women’s reproductive autonomy and the potential for discrimination and stigmatization of disabled individuals and their families. This may be due to the likely upcoming large scale implementation and routinization of NIPT. Second, the distinction between NIPT as a screening test (as it is currently recommended) and as a diagnostic test (potentially in the future), has certain implications for the ELSI discussion. Third, we observed a progressive shift in the literature from initially including mostly conceptual analysis to an increasing number of empirical studies. This demonstrates the contribution of empirical bioethics approaches as the technology is being implemented into clinical use. Finally, we noted an increasing interest in equity and justice concerns regarding access to NIPT as it becomes more widely implemented.
Keywords:
- non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT),
- ethical legal and social issues (ELSI),
- reproductive autonomy,
- informed consent,
- pregnancy termination,
- discrimination,
- eugenic attitudes,
- NIPT implementation
Résumé
Le test prénatal non-invasif (TPNI) reposant sur l’utilisation de l’ADN foetal libre (cffDNA) dans le sang maternel a été introduit dans la pratique clinique dans de nombreux pays, incluant le Canada. Ce test peut être effectué tôt durant la grossesse pour détecter le syndrome de Down ainsi que d’autres conditions. Bien que le TPNI promette de nombreux avantages, il comporte aussi des enjeux éthiques, légaux et sociaux (ELS). Cet article recense les préoccupations qui se trouvent actuellement dans la littérature sur les enjeux ELS du TPNI. Nous faisons quatre observations. Tout d’abord, le TPNI semble exacerber certaines des préoccupations existantes et soulevées par d’autres tests prénataux (l’amniocentèse et le dépistage du sérum maternel), telles que les menaces à l’autonomie reproductive des femmes et la discrimination et la stigmatisation potentielles des personnes handicapées et de leurs familles. Cela peut être attribué à la probable mise en oeuvre en grande échelle et par la routinisation à venir du TPNI. Deuxièmement, la distinction entre le TPNI comme un test de dépistage (tel qu’il est actuellement recommandé) et comme un test de diagnostic (potentiellement dans le futur), présente certaines implications sur la discussion des enjeux ELS. Troisièmement, nous avons observé un changement progressif dans la littérature. Celle-ci était à l’origine composée d’analyses essentiellement conceptuelles, mais recense maintenant un nombre croissant d’études empiriques. Cela démontre la contribution des approches de la bioéthique empirique alors que la technologie est en cours d’implantation au sein de la pratique clinique. Enfin, nous avons constaté un intérêt croissant pour les questions de justice et d’équité en matière d’accès au TPNI dans la mesure où le test devient implanté à une échelle plus large.
Mots-clés :
- test prénatal non-invasif (TPNI),
- enjeux éthiques, légaux et sociaux (ELS),
- autonomie reproductive,
- consentement éclairé,
- interruption de grossesse,
- discrimination,
- attitudes eugéniques,
- implantation du TPNI
Appendices
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