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7 Cardozo J. Int'l & Comp. L. 73 (1999)
Prenatal Genetic Testing and Its Impact on Incidence of Abortion: A Comparative Analysis of China and Ireland

handle is hein.journals/cjic7 and id is 79 raw text is: NOTES PRENATAL GENETIC TESTING AND ITS IMPACT ON INCIDENCE OF ABORTION: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CHINA AND IRELAND PREFACE The modern genetics revolution has created innumerable pos- sibilities. Genetic testing for designated genes enables us to assist people who are susceptible to certain diseases, live healthy lives and, perhaps one day, eradicate certain diseases altogether. Our present knowledge of genetics progresses daily as advances in the Human Genome Project crystallize.' However, the fruits of the ge- netic revolution are not free from burden. Genetic testing comes with an abundance of political, ethical and social issues. The purpose of this Note is to explore the impact of cultural, political and religious ideology on the usage of prenatal genetic screening. Part I discusses the use of prenatal genetic testing in China, a country with relatively liberal views regarding prenatal screening. Part II explains the use of prenatal genetic testing in Ireland, a country with relatively conservative views regarding pre- natal screening. Part III evaluates the goals formulated by the Na- tional Institute of Health to govern the usage of prenatal genetic testing. Part IV concludes with the legal and ethical implications for the future. I. INTRODUCTION Prenatal genetic testing, particularly for white, middle-class North American women,2 represents the most widespread human application of reproductive technology.3 It refers to all the tech- 1 The Human Genome Project (HGP) is an international effort to map the entire human genome. The project commenced in 1990, and the mapping phase is expected to reach completion by 2005. The HGP will enhance medicine's ability to diagnose, treat and prevent genetic disorders. See, e.g., Alastair T. Iles, The Human Genome Project: A Chal- lenge to the Human Rights Framework, 9 HARv. HUM. RTs. J. 27 (1996). 2 See Abby Lippman, Prenatal Genetic Testing and Screening: Constructing Needs and Reinforcing Inequities, 17 Am. J.L. & MED. 15, 19 (1991). 3 See Abby Lippman, Prenatal Genetic Testing and Geneticization: Mother Matters for All, FETAL DIAGN. THER., Apr. 1993, at 175.

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