Medical, ethical, legal and social aspects of prenatal diagnosis in Poland
Journal Title: Medycyna Ogólna i Nauki o Zdrowiu - Year 2013, Vol 19, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction and aim: The aim of the article is to describe contemporary knowledge about prenatal diagnosis and prenatal therapy, and analysis of ethical, legal and social aspects of prenatal diagnosis. Analysis is based on literature review and the results of social surveys. Currently, treatment options increase even before birth, which consists of direct and indirect drug treatment and prenatal surgery, but it also increases the number of abortions due to foetal abnormalities being confirmed (at present, these cases constitute 95% of all the abortions performed in accordance with Polish law). In the past, the issue of safety of a pregnant woman used to play a large role in the ethical evaluation of prenatal tests, but today the most important ethical issue is the question of the purpose for which they are performed (minimum risk of health complications). On the one hand, the parents have the right to informed consent about information on the developing child, which also involves knowledge of the child’s disease and its treatment options in the prenatal period. On the other hand, the physician is obliged to respect not only the rights of the parents, but also the rights of the child, among them the fundamental right to live which, in the current legal situation, becomes a serious moral dilemma and paradox of law.Key words: prenatal testing, prenatal diagnosis, prenatal treatment, abortion, ethical aspects, public opinion survey
Authors and Affiliations
Patrycja Frączek, Magdalena Jabłońska, Jakub Pawlikowski
Keywords
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