Attitudes to prenatal screening among Norwegian citizens: liberality, ambivalence and sensitivity

BMC Medical Ethics

Morten Magelssen¹  Guttorm Haugen²  Berge Solberg³  Magne Supphellen⁴ 

[1] Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo;Department of Fetal Medicine, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo;Department of Public Health and Nursing, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU);Department of Strategy and Management, Norwegian School of Economics;

关键词: Bioethics;    Down syndrome;    Non-invasive prenatal testing;    Prenatal diagnosis;    Public attitudes;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12910-018-0319-9

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Norway’s liberal abortion law allows for abortion on social indications, yet access to screening for fetal abnormalities is restricted. Norwegian regulation of, and public discourse about prenatal screening and diagnosis has been exceptional. In this study, we wanted to investigate whether the exceptional regulation is mirrored in public attitudes. Method An electronic questionnaire with 11 propositions about prenatal screening and diagnosis was completed by 1617 Norwegian adults (response rate 8.5%). Results A majority of respondents supports increased access to prenatal screening with ultrasound (60%) and/or full genome sequencing of fetal DNA (55%) available for all pregnant women. Significant minorities indicate, however, that a public offer of prenatal screening for all pregnant women would signal that people with Down syndrome are unwanted (46%) or could be criticized for contributing to a ‘sorting society’ (48%). Conclusions Results indicate deeper ambivalences and a cultural sensitivity to the ethical challenges of prenatal screening and subsequent abortions. The specific diagnosis of Down syndrome and the fear of becoming a ‘sorting society’ which sorts human life due to diagnoses, appear to play prominent roles in citizen deliberations. The low response rate means that a non-response bias cannot be excluded, yet reasons why results are still likely to be of value are discussed.

【 授权许可】

Unknown