Ethics of genetic screening

Abstract

A number of ethicists have argued that testing for the avoidance of serious genetic and congenital disorders in future people is morally objectionable. They have argued that (a) prenatal testing is tantamount to eugenics and is hence immoral; (b) testing is motivated by frivolous reasons, hence is discriminatory; (c) prenatal screening expresses negative attitudes toward disability; and (d) society needs the diversity provided by disabled people. This chapter shows that this cluster of arguments, collectively termed the disability rights critique, does not provide persuasive reasons for limiting access or development of such technologies. It also defends the moral and legal principles of autonomy and community well-being that justify both community-wide genetic screening programs and more individualistic uses of genetic technologies. It also supports the recognition of the legal concept of wrongful birth, where parents may accuse a medical practitioner of malpractice for failing to warn them of serious risk of abnormality in future children.