"This lifetime commitment": Public conceptions of disability and noninvasive prenatal genetic screening

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Bioethics
• Public Health

Background:

• Noninvasive prenatal genetic screening (NIPS) for conditions like Down syndrome is now widely available.
• These advancements raise ethical questions regarding prenatal testing for intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Existing debates on prenatal testing are being re-examined in light of new technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate public attitudes towards prenatal genetic screening.
• To understand how views on disability influence opinions on prenatal testing.
• To explore public perspectives on aneuploidy screening.

Main Methods:

• A web-based survey was conducted among a sample of the US public.
• The survey examined attitudes towards disability and prenatal testing.
• Qualitative analysis of responses was performed.

Main Results:

• The majority of respondents supported the availability of prenatal genetic screening.
• Most participants also supported continuing a pregnancy diagnosed with aneuploidy.
• Support for screening and continuation was observed across diverse opinions on disability.

Conclusions:

• Public opinion generally favors the availability of prenatal genetic screening.
• There is broad support for reproductive autonomy, including the decision to continue or terminate a pregnancy post-screening.
• Attitudes towards disability shape the reasoning behind these views, reflecting complex ethical considerations.