Prenatal Diagnosis and the Selection of Children

Given the current and anticipated capabilities to perform prenatal diagnosis, the medical profession, and society more broadly, must decide how these technologies should be used. Specifically, what prenatal diagnostic tests should professionals offer prospective parents or provide on request? Should there be limits on the tests made available to prospective parents or should choices be unlimited, restricted only by the individual values of informed couples? This project will analyze the literature relevant to the development of professional standards for the application of this technology. Particular attention will be paid to literature from the disability community as well as the broad range of medical and bioethics literature. The principal product of this two year project will be a book titled 'The Transparent Womb: Prenatal Diagnosis and the Biologic Selection of Children.' The book will be written for the educated lay community, as well as for the medical profession and bioethics communities. This project will develop a clear proposal on the appropriate uses of prenatal diagnosis and will foster a broad debate on these important issues.