Abstract
Chorion villus sampling is the most recent of the various technical procedures available for the prenatal diagnosis of genetic disease. More information is still needed about its risks to the fetus and the pregnancy but the advantages are such that it has already proved useful and has been welcomed by many couples. Unfortunately there continues to be considerable parental anxiety associated with all types of prenatal diagnosis and chorion villus sampling will do little to lessen this or to reduce the concern about the social consequences. Termination of pregnancy for whatever reason remains a controversial issue and has already generated a fair amount of public criticism, some of which has been levelled at the profession. While there is probably little we can do to resolve the conflict of values surrounding the abortion debate it is important that we ensure that our patients are seen to have been adequately counselled and have freedom of choice. This is essential not only for optimum patient care but hopefully to minimize the risk of malpractice suits, an increasing hazard for those involved in this work.
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© 1987 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Fitzsimmons, J.S. (1987). Counselling in prenatal diagnosis. In: Liu, D.T.Y., Symonds, E.M., Golbus, M.S. (eds) Chorion Villus. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-3362-1_29
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-3362-1_29
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
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