HD is a lethal genetic disorder with no known cure or preventive measures. Parents who are carrier of the mutated HD genes give birth to children with a 50-50 chance of inheriting the gene and hence the disease. Advancement in genetic testing enables parents to conduct prenatal diagnosis during pregnancy stage and determines if the child will inherit the disease. In a study conducted on people with a 50% chance for HD, 49% of them said they would use prenatal test if available, however just 22.6% said they would want an abortion if the prenatal test was positive [1]. This survey shows that most people in the “at-risk” group have no intention or unsure whether to abort HD positive child.
Some argued that prenatal test should still be conducted for parents with no intention to abort HD positive child as the test can provide greater assertion about the status of their unborn child, hence enables parents to make plans for their child’s future, including any necessary financial and medical arrangement. This is especially true since HD is a late onset disease and will result in severe impairment in daily functions. Parents will have sufficient time to plan for their affected child through measures such as insurance medical coverage. Prenatal test also allows early detection and may help reduce any shock and trauma experienced by the parents during birth. Since parents already knew of their unborn child’s pre-existing condition, there will be less chance of disappointment and rude shock when the baby is eventually born. As a result of this psychological preparation, social problems such as abandoning new-born babies due to birth defects may be reduced. Prenatal test can also promote mother-child bonding and positively impact the future relationship between parents and child. Having known of their child’s pre-existing condition, parents will be mentally prepared to accept the limitation of their child and adjust their expectations accordingly. This may reduce future...