Bioethics and the Law: The Impact of Genetic Technology on Prenatal Management
AbstractThis paper examines genetic technology, bioethics and the law in respect of prenatal care. It seeks to highlight areas of inconsistency between bioethics and current Australian law/legal policy, and to indicate where the law is inadequate to deal with the new issues arising out of advances in genetic technology prenatally. The author concludes that further attention needs to be given to the appropriate role of law in society and to the appropriate regulatory mechanisms to achieve reform in these areas and that it is vital any policy should be reflective of the views of women in accordance with their peculiar interest in, and centrality to, the issues of pregnancy and childbirth. The reform process should involve public debate, expert advice and ethical consideration in order to produce a regulatory framework that will adequately deal with the medical and social issues covered by the area. |