Parental opinions about prenatal genetic screening and selective abortion for Down Syndrome.

down syndrome;prenatal genetic screening;selective termination;abortion;parents;NIPT

Laura E. Holt

University:University of Louisville

Department:Sociology

关键词: down syndrome;    prenatal genetic screening;    selective termination;    abortion;    parents;    NIPT;   

Others  :  https://ir.library.louisville.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3777&context=etd

美国|英语

来源: The Universite of Louisville's Institutional Repository

【 摘 要 】

Recent advancements in the field of genetic testing have made it easier to prenatally identify the presence of Down Syndrome in a fetus. The purpose of this study was to examine the opinions of parents who are currently raising a child with Down Syndrome towards genetic screening and selective abortion for the condition, as well as any potential effects of this process on their families. A series of individual interviews with twenty parents was conducted. An inductive methodology was used to analyze interview data. The key findings indicate that parents’ perspectives of the role of the physician in the genetic screening process, as well as their perceptions of threat to their children and families, each ranged from neutral to extremely negative. There was an association between these two perceptions. Parent advocates are engaged in a power struggle with physicians over influence on expectant parents at the time of fetal diagnosis.