Genetic testing has become a mainstream ideology and practice in the contemporary world. Previously, pregnant mothers could not have acquired some vital information regarding the health status of the fetus. However, with advances in technology, today, mothers are provided with reliable information that can help determine the health of the fetus and thus develop strategies to minimize risk of disorders or maintain the health of the fetus depending on the results (Bianchi, Parker, Wentworth, Madankumar, Saffer, Das & Oliver, 2014). While genetic testing has become a common phenomenon and most couples will consider this information as accurate and final, as a nurse, it is important to notify the couple that the genetic tests do not give and outright answer. Rather, it allows for the determination or likelihood of the development of disorders by the fetus. The information should be utilized to develop preventive measures that can eliminate the possibility of detected risk as opposed to termination of pregnancy or such decisions (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2008).
A perfect example and most common utilization of genetic testing is the determination of the sex of the child. A couple may be in preference of a child of particular sex and may require genetic testing to facilitate or justify sex selective abortion. Similarly, the parents may be seeking to determine the risk of the child to a particular disorder that is dominant within the family tree and if the findings of the test indicate high likelihood of the disorder, then the parents may opt for selective abortion (Bianchi, Parker, Wentworth, Madankumar, Saffer, Das & Oliver, 2014).
Genetic testing is highly guided by ethics, morals and principles and the registered nurse has to determine the right way in which to approach the situation. The ethical code of nursing posits that if the genetic tests provide significant findings that the continued stay of the pregnancy may affect the health of the child and/or the mother, the case for termination is justified. However, if the findings indicate that the available risk can be managed or interventions can be initiated at a later time even after birth and still become beneficial to the child, then termination of pregnancy cannot be done. The nurse has a role to guide the couple that genetic testing is not used primarily as a method for selective abortions or termination of broths where there exists no medical necessity. Further in the case where the economic, medical and psychosocial benefits of the tests do not gradually grow through the adulthood of the child, such as adult-onset illnesses or carrier status there is every justification to postpone genetic testing (Bianchi, Parker, Wentworth, Madankumar, Saffer, Das & Oliver, 2014). The judgment and decision as to whether genetic testing can be initiated is based on the future economic and psychosocial benefits. For instance, if the detected illness can be managed at a later time in the life of the individual with minimal or equal costs as well as within minimal health risks, then genetic testing may be considered unnecessary. The care provider has to balance the medical, economic and psychosocial elements around the patient and thus determine where maximum benefits can be accrued.
References
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2008). Ethical Issues in Genetic Testing - ACOG. Retrieved from http://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Ethics/Ethical-Issues-in-Genetic-Testing
Bianchi, D. W., Parker, R. L., Wentworth, J., Madankumar, R., Saffer, C., Das, A. F., & Oliver, K. (2014). DNA sequencing versus standard prenatal aneuploidy screening. New England Journal of Medicine, 370(9), 799-808.
