Abstract

IThe desire to have children is universal. Recent advances in genetic research have given rise to prenatal genetic tests. Prenatal tests, classic or pre-implantation, allow us to detect anomalies at the foetal and pre-embryo stage. These types of genetic tests are offered to parents with a high risk of passing on genetic defects to their child. They are different reasons, both direct and indirect, for parents to seek these types of test. Social and political pressures push people to submit for these types of test and can create a lot of pressure on the family. This creates and reinforces prejudices against the handicapped and influences the decisions that parents have to make once they get the results. The medical industry exerts an influence and creates a sentiment of guilt for parents considering bringing a handicapped child into the world. Although progress in genetic research has several advantages, it gives couples the freedom to have children when they would not be able to without prenatal tracking, but the freedom to procreate must still remain in the foreground.