HON 365: Ethical Issues in Science

Case Study #4 – Amniocentesis for a predisposition

A woman who is 6 weeks pregnant whose mother and grandmother both died of breast cancer has just tested positive for the mutation in the BRCA 1 gene that is linked with an inordinately high predisposition to breast cancer. She has requested amniocentesis to see if her unborn child also possesses this gene. If the fetus is a girl and tests positive for the mutation, she will terminate the pregnancy.

Questions to ponder?

1) Should the woman’s intentions factor into whether the test is run?

2) Discuss the differences between a genetic disease and a genetic predisposition.

3) Should the clinic screen for predispositions? Does this make them an inadvertent accomplice in a eugenic activity?

4) Without access to this technology, she would likely carry the fetus to term. Discuss the impact of this discovery and other diagnostic screens on reproduction.