Pre-Natal Diagnosis and Voluntary Abortion

As medical technology becomes more advanced, we find that our definition of life is subject to a myriad of complex interpretations and diagnostic tools. On one hand, modern technology has given us the capability to correct God's imperfections, yet on the other, we find ourselves asking if this capability gives us the right to manipulate evolutionary development of future generations.

Clearly, we are forced to make complex medical decisions we never dreamed possible-decisions about the quality of life and what traits and characteristics we find desirable to have in the genetic makeup of our offspring.

After listening to a number of experts from the Vanderbilt University Law and Medical Schools, it is clear that we cannot agree as a society on exactly what traits and characteristics are genetically "desirable" in our offspring and to society as a whole.

Initially, I believed that pre-natal diagnosis was primarily used as a precautionary measure for expecting parents who may be at an increased risk to pass on genetic disease and birth defects. However, after listening to medical experts in prenatal care and genetics, I came to learn that there are a many reasons why prenatal diagnosis can be helpful in providing expecting parents and their physicians with critical medical information.

Up until now, it had been my general impression that prenatal diagnosis was a tool used by couples who might choose to terminate a pregnancy if severe abnormalities were found in a developing fetus.

To my surprise, there are a number of medical procedures that can correct congenital birth defects if discovered early enough in the pregnancy. These innovative medical techniques create a clear benefit to parents who would not choose to terminate the pregnancy under any circumstances-- regardless of diagnosis. For example, it can give parents the opportunity to make modifications to the delivery method that can optimize the child's chance for survival.

Diagnostic measures can help prepare the physician so that he or she can make decisions prior to the delivery of the child and minimize the risk of additional complications. In addition, new surgical techniques have given physicians the capability to perform surgical procedures in-utero, at times correcting congenital birth defects and eliminating additional complications and risks for the remainder of the pregnancy.

There are some clear points of concern that are by no means simple to address. One significant area of concern is the confidentiality of medical records, especially those containing results of such diagnostic tests. I would be extremely cautious about releasing the results of any genetic testing to insurance companies in light of recent events and our transition into the for-profit insurance industry.

It seems likely that insurance companies may use this information might use the information to refuse coverage of treating children with a "pre-existing" (albeit prenatal) conditions. It would not surprise me to learn if insurance companies were utilizing such diagnostic information as a method of persuasion to coax young mothers into voluntary abortion.

In addition, it invites value-laden judgments about the quality of life. Mothers may feel compelled to end a pregnancy if they feel their child may place an undue burden upon their family and society as a whole.

I do not feel it is our right as a "society" to impose guilt and shame upon a mother who decides to care for a "differently-abled" infant or child. If nothing else, this demonstrates the need to insulate medical and moral decisions, especially those that are potentially life altering: from corporate incentives to insurance "loss-ratios" in order to save money because of simple financial greed.

I find it reprehensible that any woman would be coerced in any way, whether by emotional or financial blackmail, to terminate a pregnancy to avoid any "undue burden" a physically challenged or differently abled child may present to "society."

Ultimately, I do not believe that genetic predetermination is not our decision to make.