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Prenatal Diagnosis

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Genetics and the Law III

Abstract

Prenatal genetic diagnosis provides reassurance to couples at risk that they may selectively have offspring without serious mental retardation and/or chronic or serious-to-fatal disease.1 More babies are born because of the availability of prenatal diagnosis compared to the number of pregnancies terminated. Prenatal diagnosis is a life-giving, not a life-taking, technology. Amniocentesis for genetic diagnosis has been documented as a very low-risk procedure for almost a decade,2 and less than 3% of women undergoing amniocentesis for genetic risks need to face a decision to terminate a pregnancy.1 Abortions as a consequence of prenatal diagnosis account for a minute fraction of 1 % of all abortions performed.

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© 1985 Aubrey Milunsky and George J. Annas

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Milunsky, A. (1985). Prenatal Diagnosis. In: Milunsky, A., Annas, G.J. (eds) Genetics and the Law III. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4952-5_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4952-5_24

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-4954-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-4952-5

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