Ethical Considerations concerning Screening for Chromosome Aneuploidy: A Response to a 2007 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Practice Bulletin

Abstract

Historically, maternal age 35 years or older at the time of delivery has been the marker to identify women with a statistically greater chance for having a child with a chromosome aneuploidy. This article will examine certain aspects of the recommendations made by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in 2007 to expand aneuploidy screening to all women before 20 weeks gestation. The article will focus on insights within the Catholic moral tradition that help to frame a reexamination of these recommendations.