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Newborn screening: should explicit parental consent be required?
Mei-Chih Huang1, Shio-Jean Lin
1Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan.
Acta Paediatrica Taiwanica = Taiwan Er Ke Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi
|October 3, 2003
Summary
Newborn screening requires explicit parental consent, as implied consent is legally insufficient for most tests. Healthcare professionals must inform parents of risks and benefits, respecting their right to refuse screening.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Public Health Policy
- Genetics
Background:
- Newborn screening, a long-standing public health initiative, faces evolving ethical and legal challenges due to advancements in genetic technologies.
- Pre-symptomatic detection of genetic/metabolic disorders raises questions about the balance between potential benefits and unknown risks for newborns.
Discussion:
- This article critically examines the necessity and level of parental consent for newborn screening.
- It analyzes the legal defensibility of screening without explicit parental consent, considering voluntary versus mandatory programs.
Key Insights:
- Implied consent is deemed unacceptable for newborn screening, except for traditional, routine tests.
- Explicit parental consent is crucial, requiring healthcare professionals to disclose known benefits and risks.
- The parental right to refuse screening must be respected.
Outlook:
- Future legislation should permit newborn screening without explicit consent in specific, defined circumstances.
- Advocacy for updated legal frameworks is essential to navigate the complexities of modern newborn screening programs.
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