Bioethical principles in prenatal diagnostics and genetic counseling

Abstract

The field of bioethics, as a new reality in the contemporary world, has left a deep imprint on prenatal diagnosis and genetic consultation through the profound influence of principles and values such as respect for life in general, for human dignity, respect for the patient, for their well-being, and their autonomy within the medical act. The bioethical principles of genetic research, including those referring to prenatal diagnosis, at the current stage of scientific development, continue to deserve special attention, as well as the methodological and clinical aspects as well as those, related to the organizational improvement of genetic assistance. The continuous evolution of society and the rapid development of biomedical technologies and medical genetics bring bioethical aspects to the fore. Specifically, the ethical aspects of medical genetics and genetic technologies have been the object of special attention by the World Health Organization (WHO, 1998) and have been repeatedly reviewed in the specialized literature.