Bioethics in prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell disease

[摘要] The development of molecular biology and the application of highly sensitive techniques have allowed better understanding genetic basis of hereditary diseases and use them to prevent, diagnose and treat. In Cuba hemoglobin S trait is the 3.08% in the general population and until 17% in African descent, which represents a public health problem and since the 90' prenatal diagnosis of the disease is made, fulfilling the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. The most important ethical conflict arises when is questioned who benefits from information obtained from prenatal diagnosis: the fetus, parents or society. Prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell disease in Cuba has an important scientific and social impact, and requires serious work from primary health care, providing scientific and technical support for the venture the couple of risk and their future son while respecting their bioethical rights.

[学科分类] 生理学与病理学