Attitudes towards termination for fetal abnormality: comparisons in three European countries

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Reproductive Health
• Genetic Counseling

Background:

• Understanding public and professional attitudes toward termination for genetic conditions is crucial for informed reproductive decision-making.
• Variations in attitudes may stem from cultural, ethical, and personal factors influencing perceptions of disability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare attitudes towards termination for fetal abnormalities between health professionals and lay individuals across three European countries.
• To identify national and demographic differences in these attitudes.
• To explore potential implications for patient counseling and care.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving over 1,700 participants from Germany, Portugal, and the UK.
• Participants included geneticists, obstetricians (in Portugal and UK), pregnant women, and university employees.
• Questionnaires were used to assess attitudes towards termination for various genetic conditions.

Main Results:

• Health professionals were significantly more likely than lay persons to report opting for termination after a fetal abnormality diagnosis.
• Significant differences were found between countries: German respondents were least likely, while Portuguese respondents were most likely to favor termination.
• Attitudes also varied between professional and lay groups within countries.

Conclusions:

• Health professionals and lay populations exhibit differing attitudes regarding termination for fetal abnormalities, with national variations present.
• Further research is necessary to understand the role of disability perception and tolerance in these differences.
• Investigating whether these disparities impact how termination of pregnancy is presented to patients is essential for aligning care with patient values.