Prenatal testing for Tay‐Sachs disease in the light of Jewish views regarding abortion

Abstract

Tay‐Sachs is a fatal genetic ailment preponderant among Jews. Modern medical techniques can detect carriers of the disease as well as identify affected fetuses, permitting the option of abortion. Abortion, however, is more than a simple medical procedure. It also has ethical and religious implications and these have a long history of discussion within Jewish tradition. While all forms of Judaism permit therapeutic abortion to save a mother's life, Orthodox Judaism is less likely to approve abortion in a case when Tay‐Sachs disease has been diagnosed than are the Conservative and Reform branches of Judaism, which would freely permit it. This Orthodox strictness also has implications concerning who should be included in Tay‐Sachs screening programs; the Orthodox movement believing these should be limited to those who are as yet unmarried. This article discusses current medical approaches to Tay‐Sachs disease and their implications in light of views regarding abortion held by Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jews.