Genetic screening in maternity care

Preventive Aims and Voluntary Choices

Bibliographic Data

ID2248599
AuthorsPiia Jallinoja (0000-0002-3889-2636, University of Helsinki, corresponding author)
Year2001
Volume23
Issue3
Pages286-307
Publication date2001-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociology of Health & Illness (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0141-9889 • E-ISSN: 1467-9566
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1467-9566.00253
OpenAlexW2073215034
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited13

This paper analyses a prenatal genetic screening programme for three gene defects, conducted at maternity care centres in Eastern Finland in 1995 and 1996. What is special in this case is that the screening ended sooner than was planned. This paper investigates how the genetic screening programme was launched, the problems it encountered and the circumstances of its closure. The present analysis focuses on the co-existence of, and tensions between, the two major objectives of the project: preventing disability and increasing mothers' choices. The tensions between these two objectives were highlighted at maternity care centres. The public health nurses working at these centres were confused about whether or not they should offer autonomous consumer choice or guidance to mothers to behave in responsible and health-conscious ways. The nurses' confusion was intensified because the goal of prevention was identified with financial savings for the municipality, which the nurses thought was an inappropriate reason for abortions

Closure (psychology) · Confusion · Economic growth · Economics · Eugenics · Health care · Maternity care · Political science · Turnover · BRCA gene mutations in cancer · Ethics and Legal Issues in Pediatric Healthcare · Foucault, Power, and Ethics · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology

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