Attitudes to prenatal screening among Norwegian citizens: liberality, ambivalence and sensitivity

Abstract

BackgroundNorway’s liberal abortion law allows for abortion on social indications, yet access to screening for fetal abnormalities is restricted. Norwegian regulation of, and public discourse about prenatal screening and diagnosis has been exceptional. In this study, we wanted to investigate whether the exceptional regulation is mirrored in public attitudes.MethodAn electronic questionnaire with 11 propositions about prenatal screening and diagnosis was completed by 1617 Norwegian adults (response rate 8.5%).ResultsA majority of respondents supports increased access to prenatal screening with ultrasound (60%) and/or full genome sequencing of fetal DNA (55%) available for all pregnant women. Significant minorities indicate, however, that a public offer of prenatal screening for all pregnant women would signal that people with Down syndrome are unwanted (46%) or could be criticized for contributing to a ‘sorting society’ (48%).ConclusionsResults indicate deeper ambivalences and a cultural sensitivity to the ethical challenges of prenatal screening and subsequent abortions. The specific diagnosis of Down syndrome and the fear of becoming a ‘sorting society’ which sorts human life due to diagnoses, appear to play prominent roles in citizen deliberations. The low response rate means that a non-response bias cannot be excluded, yet reasons why results are still likely to be of value are discussed.

Gravide kvinners holdning til fosterdiagnostikk

“…60 % at de ønsket fosterdiagnostikk med ultralyd betalt av det offentlige, dvs. en lavere andel enn de gravide i vår studie (14). I vår studiepopulasjon var det et fåtall (15 %) som hadde vaert til genetisk veiledning i offentlig regi, og 41 % (480 av 1 170) kjente ikke til NIPT-test.…”

“Overestimated technology – underestimated consequences” – reflections on risks, ethical conflicts, and social disparities in the handling of non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPTs)

“…Even in countries in which social and ethical implications were initially subjected to critical debate (United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands) the use of the tests has become widespread. One exception here is Norway, a country that is known for its relatively restrictive attitude towards prenatal diagnosis (Salvesen et al 2022;Magelssen et al 2018). Long after its Scandinavian neighbours started implementing the NIPT technology, Norway still tightly adhered to a strict ʻNo-NIPT policyʼ.…”

Trisomy 21 – incidence, diagnostics and pregnancy terminations 1999–2018

“…Alle med trisomi 21 har forsinket intellektuell utvikling, og noen har andre utviklingsavvik som hjertefeil eller tarmobstruksjon (3,5). Tilb fosterdiagnostikk av trisomi 21 har skapt mye diskusjon blant helsepersonell, politikere og allmennheten i Norge (6)(7)(8). Det er imidlertid e at gravide skal mo a det samme fosterdiagnostiske tilbudet i hele landet (9).…”