Analysis of Ethical and Practical Aspects of Genetic Testing

This essay delves into the ethical considerations and practical applications of genetic testing for fetuses. It explores the use of non-invasive cell-free screening and carrier panels to identify genetic disorders, highlighting the shift in prenatal diagnosis. The essay emphasizes the ethical nature of the practice when recommended by a doctor and with informed consent from the mother. It discusses the importance of genetic testing in identifying potential birth defects and disorders, allowing for early intervention and treatment. The essay also references the nursing code of ethics, which emphasizes beneficence, non-maleficence, and patient confidentiality. Furthermore, it highlights the role of genetic testing in expanding treatment options and advancing medical research. Overall, the essay presents a comprehensive analysis of the ethical and medical aspects of genetic testing, providing valuable insights into its impact on prenatal care and healthcare research.

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Genetic Testing Of Fetuses
Genetic testing of fetuses refers to tests performed on pregnant mothers so as to determine if the
fetus has certain genetic disorders. According to Van den Veyver and Ignatia (n.p), genetic
testing of fetuses involve the use of non-evasive cell free screening which is based on the DNA
as well as the screening carrier panels are used to determine if the fetus has abnormalities and
disorders. This act has significantly changed the approach used by the doctors in the prenatal
diagnosis of abnormalities related to chromosomes and genetics. Genetic testing of fetuses is
ethical when recommended by a patient’s doctor.
Since nurses seek consent before performing the genetic testing fetuses’ procedures, it is thus
right to say that the genetic testing of fetuses is ethical. Doctors only recommend the procedure
when necessary, however, the mother or the couple willingly agree to the test after understanding
what it entails as well as the consequences. Genetics have the ability to influence the
development of certain birth defects and therefore screening helps in evaluating the risks of such
problems to the mother and the unborn baby. Birth defects and genetical disorders can be as a
result of the mother’s age, family history and these can help in the construction of a complete
genetic portrait of the developing fetus. This in turn helps in the detection of conditions which
can be treated or mitigated before the birth of a fetus or immediately after birth. It is therefore

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important to note that the permission granted by the mother in full knowledge of the
consequences make it ethical.
Doctors only recommend genetic testing of fetuses in given circumstances. Usually, patients are
given the rights to decide if they will go ahead with the diagnostic tests or not. After
recommendation and ensuring informed consent, the doctor lets the mother to decide whether or
not she will go ahead with the test without the doctor having to influence her decision. This test
is thus ethical since it allows the doctor to educate the mother while letting the mother
understand that she got choices.
It is also ethical to conduct genetic testing fetuses since medical practitioners have an obligation
to never disclose any patient’s medical conditions. Finnell argues that the nursing code of ethics
require nursing practitioners to be beneficience and nonmalficience. This requires that the
diagnostic tests performed should not harm the mother and the unborn child. The nurses must
also keep secret the medical information of the patients so as to prevent harm.
It is also ethical to conduct genetic testing of the fetuses since it expands the options for treating
diseases long believed to be untreatable. This is because the amount of information that can be
drawn from a single test is diverse hence improved knowledge. Although that is not the main
intention for performing the test, nursing is a field that requires constant research and new
developments so as to enhance quality of life. Therefore, genetic testing of fetuses provide more
information and accuracy about conditions which may not be included in the screening by
scanning for smaller duplications and deletions which may be used to conduct further research
for evidence-based interventions.

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Work cited
Finnell, D., et al. "Best practices for developing specialty nursing scope and standards of
practice." OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing 20.2 (2015).
Van den Veyver, Ignatia B. “Recent advances in prenatal genetic screening and
testing.” F1000Research vol. 5 2591. 28 Oct. 2016, doi:10.12688/f1000research.9215.1