Chapter 14 - Prenatal Testing in Low-Risk Populations: A US Perspective

Abstract

In 2011, cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA or cfDNA) screening for fetal aneuploidy became clinically available in the United States. At first recommended only for high-risk obstetric populations, cell-free DNA has more recently been made available to the general (low-risk) obstetric population. Extending this screening test to the general population raises multiple ethical issues. The complexity of the genetic information revealed by testing coupled with the practical challenge of counseling greater numbers of patients may undermine the possibility of genuine informed consent.