Diagnosis by Prenatal Testing

概要

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Along with our culture and religion, the lack of major genetic diseases in Japan, such as the β thalasemia found in the Mediterranean, cystic fibrosis in Caucaseans and sickle cell anemia in Africans, has possibly contributed to the relatively limited official debata on genetic testing and prevention of genetic diseases. However, the recent expansion of knowledge regarding genetic and reproductive procedures has brought to light a new aspect of biomedical ethics, a condition that necessarily has become a subject of wide and official discussion, even in our country. The most effective force for serious debate has been the issue of maternal serum marker testing for chromosomal abnormalities. The American Academy of Pediatrics and College of Obstetrics and Gynecology stated that testing should be recommended for pregnant women under 35 years in the guidelines for perinatal care in 1997. Our general opinion is that such testing should be carried out only on a voluntary basis. However, insufficient informed decision making and a shortage of scientific evaluation of the testing have given rise to concern by Japan Society of Human Genetics and Parents' Society of Down Syndrome and others. Recently, the National Council of Health and Welfare proposed guidelines for maternal serum marker tests.
社団法人日本産科婦人科学会の論文
2000-02-01