Moral evaluation of genetic prenatal diagnosis in Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Journal Title: Medycyna Ogólna i Nauki o Zdrowiu - Year 2016, Vol 22, Issue 1
Abstract
[b]Introduction.[/b] In a broad sense, genetic prenatal diagnosis include a set of methods used to detect the presence of congenital diseases and genetic defects in a human embryo or fetus. Currently, these tests are used more frequently and become involved in a discussion of a worldview nature. Moral dilemmas concerning genetic prenatal diagnostics concern the risk associated with the invasive methods of obtaining biological material, and the possibility of using test results for eugenic selection. Opinions on this case are also voiced by the followers of various religions. [b]Aim.[/b] The aim of this study was to collect the official teaching of various religions and make a synthetic attempt to show the moral doctrine on prenatal diagnostics in three of them; Judaism, Christianity and Islam, which are most common for the European culture. [b]State of knowledge. [/b]The essence of religious-moral teaching in biomedical issues allows for the understanding of the “sanctity of life” paradigm. The factor which influences its interpretation and the formulation of practical recommendations is a kind of teacher authority functioning in various religious communities. [b]Results. [/b]The presence of the paradigm of “sanctity of life” in each of the analyzed religions does not necessarily indicate an unconditional protection of each conceived human being. Pre-implantation diagnoses do not cause a major moral problem in Judaism and Islam. Prenatal genetic tests carried out for therapeutic purposes are generally acceptable in all three religions. Their execution for eugenic reasons meets a diverse opinion in Judaism. Protestantism was the only branch of Christianity that sometimes left the decision of conducting eugenic prenatal testing and abortion to the parents.[b]Key words:[/b] prenatal diagnosis, pre-implantation diagnosis, fertilization in vitro, eugenic abortion
Authors and Affiliations
Waldemar Głusiec
Keywords
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- EP ID EP79519
- DOI 10.5604/20834543.1198719
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