Legal and ethical implications of fetal diagnosis and gene therapy

With rapidly expanding capabilities in prenatal diagnosis and treatment resulting from new technologies, the medical profession is increasingly being confronted with legal uncertainties and ethical dilemmas. In this paper, we review current acceptable standards of care in the area of medical practice as related to genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis. We emphasize that any attempts at therapeutic genetic intervention be carried out only 1) when there is reasonable scientific evidence that it will cure or prevent a disabling disease, and b) with the informed, voluntary, competent, and understanding consent of the individuals involved.