Avoiding 'selection'?-References to history in current German policy debates about non-invasive prenatal testing

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Bioethics
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a subject of significant policy debate in Germany.
• Concerns regarding NIPT often relate to potential selective practices and historical eugenics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of historical references in the current German policy debate on NIPT.
• To analyze how terms like 'eugenics' and 'selection' are used to frame opposition to NIPT and its public funding.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of major policy documents and opinion statements.
• Examination of the 2019 German parliamentary debate on NIPT.
• Discourse analysis of key terminology used in public deliberation.

Main Results:

• 'Eugenics' and 'selection' are pivotal terms used to reject NIPT and public health insurance coverage.
• These terms evoke historical distancing from National Socialist practices.
• Recent discourse shows avoidance of these terms, with 'screening' used negatively to demarcate debate and reconcile NIPT with ethical principles.

Conclusions:

• The German NIPT debate is heavily influenced by historical context and ethical considerations.
• Careful language is used to navigate concerns about selection and eugenics while discussing NIPT.
• Reconciling NIPT with dignity, inclusion, and diversity remains a central challenge in policy discussions.