[Pre-natal examinations: cruel dilemmas]

Observing a little girl having a minor genetic aberration, a trisomy (47, XXX), points up the difficulties connected with pre-natal examinations for fetal abnormalities. Treating it comes down to bringing up the problem of telling the patient the truth and the legitimacy of aborting an abnormal fetus. The ethical consideration that seems to underlie this situation is, on the one hand, the inapplicability of ethical standards already set up, and, on the other hand, the possibility of a justifiable and very real improvement of the race by genetic control through technical progress. When it has been decided not to terminate the pregnancy, the question arises as to the bodily harm that might occur and the psychological consequences on the parents of telling them of the diagnosis.