[The ethics of prenatal diagnosis and therapy]

Abstract

Present ability to diagnose and treat fetal birth defects has achieved considerable sophistication. However, new scientific knowledge and resultant technologies create complex ethical dilemmas for society. Society has a critical stake both in the successful treatment of fetal disorders and in the maintenance of respect for the human dignity of the fetus. Therefore, prenatal diagnosis and therapy raises not only scientific issues but also ethical and legal ones which challenge many of our traditional concepts of the fetus. Undoubtedly, there is a need for involvement of not only individual patients but also society as a whole in setting rules and priorities for fetal therapy. In the meantime, the responsibility of those undertaking fetal therapy includes an obligation to report to the medical profession all results, good or bad, so that the merits and liabilities of fetal treatment can be established as soon as possible.