Genetic Screening - Amniocentesis And The Abortion Debate

A specific form of genetic screening known as amniocentesis raised fundamental constitutional issues when first introduced; in the twenty-first century, however, it is considered standard operating procedure for older women to undergo amniocentesis when they have conceived for the first time. Amniocentesis consists of inserting a needle through the abdominal wall of a pregnant woman into the amniotic sac containing the fetus, withdrawing a sample of the sac fluid, analyzing it for genetic characteristics, and determining whether the fetus has certain genetic defects. If amniocentesis reveals a genetically defective fetus, the parents may choose to abort it or carry it to term. Children born with genetic defects have brought legal claims against their parents for the TORT of WRONGFUL LIFE, or WRONGFUL BIRTH.

Before the advent of amniocentesis, wrongful life actions generally failed (Pinkney v. Pinkney, 198 So. 2d 52, [Fla. App. 1967] [refusing to recognize tort of wrongful life for extramarital child plaintiff against father]; and Zepeda v. Zepeda, 41 Ill. App. 2d 240, 190 N.E.2d 849 [1963], cert. denied, 379 U.S. 945, 85 S. Ct. 444, 13 L. Ed. 2d 545 [1964]). The development of procedures such as amniocentesis, coupled with a shift in societal attitudes toward ABORTION, has led to successful claims for wrongful life. For example, in Haymon v. Wilkerson, 535 A.2d 880 (D.C. App. 1987), a mother brought a

A doctor and patient discuss genetic screening for Down's syndrome. As a result of cases such as Haymon v. Wilkerson, doctors have increased their use of genetic counseling and fetal screening.
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wrongful birth action against a physician after her child was born with Down's syndrome. The court of appeals held that the mother was entitled to recover extraordinary medical and HEALTH CARE expenses incurred as a result of the child's mental and physical abnormalities. As a result of cases such as Haymon, doctors have increased their use of genetic counseling and prenatal testing.