Attitudes toward prenatal screening for fetal abnormality and detection of carriers of genetic disease: A discussion paper

Abstract

This paper compares the uptake of prenatal screening for fetal abnormality with that of the recently introduced test for carriers of cystic fibrosis. While the former is widely accepted, the latter appears to be of much less interest to the relevant population. It is argued that prenatal screening is seen as a part of an antenatal care 'package'. Knowledge about the tests and their implications is limited except for those women who know themselves to be at particular risk. Most of the remainder seek reassurance that all is well through antenatal care and the prenatal screening that makes up part of the package. It is argued that interest in carrier detection for genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis is limited because mast people who have not had direct contact with the disease do not see themselves to be at risk. One reason for this is that they may hold beliefs about inheritance which indicate that they cannot be a carrier if they do not have a close relative with the disease. It is suggested that we require a better knowledge of lay beliefs about inheritance in order to improve genetic counselling and education.