Critical examination of ethical dimensions in prenatal and neonatal screening

The increasingly technologized face of reproductive medicine, in which artificial reproductive technology is thriving and whole genome sequencing is accessible, faces a plethora of new ethical issues. Prenatal tests raise concerns about selective abortions, eugenics, and privacy of genetic information, as well as equity and access, while neonatal screening programs are faced with issues concerning the diseases and conditions they cover, disclosure of carrier status, and involvement of employers and insurance companies. Even if more and more conditions are identified through genetic screening and testing, many of them have no treatment, and diagnosing such a disease has no apparent benefits. False positive results and the incidental discovery of other health issues during genetic testing can cause parental distress and a lack of trust in the medical system. Education programs targeted at medical professionals and the public are needed regarding the benefits and the limits of genetic testing and screening.