Chromosomal microarray analysis in prenatal diagnosis: ethical considerations of the Belgian approach

Detection of genetic aberrations in prenatal samples, obtained through amniocentesis or chorion villus biopsy, is increasingly performed using chromosomal microarray (CMA), a technique that can uncover both aneuploidies and copy number variants throughout the genome. Despite the obvious benefits of...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of medical ethics 2020-02, Vol.46 (2), p.104-109
Main Authors: Muys, Joke, Blaumeiser, Bettina, Janssens, Katrien, Loobuyck, Patrick, Jacquemyn, Yves
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aneuploidy
Anxiety
Autism
Belgium
Bioethics
Chromosome Disorders - diagnosis
Chromosomes
Communication
Culture
Cytogenetic Analysis - methods
Databases, Nucleic Acid
Disclosure - ethics
DNA Copy Number Variations
Ethics
Ethics, Medical
Female
Fetus
Genethics
Genetic Counseling - ethics
Genetic Counseling - psychology
Genetic Counselling/Prenatal Diagnosis
Genomes
Genotype & phenotype
Humans
Intellectual disabilities
Medical diagnosis
Medical ethics
Microarray Analysis
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Original research
Parents - psychology
Paternalism
Phenotype
Pregnancy
Prenatal care
Prenatal Diagnosis - ethics
Prenatal Diagnosis - psychology
Research Report
Social Values
Specimen Handling
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Detection of genetic aberrations in prenatal samples, obtained through amniocentesis or chorion villus biopsy, is increasingly performed using chromosomal microarray (CMA), a technique that can uncover both aneuploidies and copy number variants throughout the genome. Despite the obvious benefits of CMA, the decision on implementing the technology is complicated by ethical issues concerning variant interpretation and reporting. In Belgium, uniform guidelines were composed and a shared database for prenatal CMA findings was established. This Belgian approach sparks discussion: it is evidence-based, prevents inconsistencies and avoids parental anxiety, but can be considered paternalistic. Here, we reflect on the cultural and moral bases of the Belgian reporting system of prenatally detected variants.
ISSN:0306-6800
1473-4257
DOI:10.1136/medethics-2018-105186