Explain The Implications Of Prenatal Diagnosis Of Human Right To Life

Implications of Prenatal Diagnosis for the Human Right to Life

There have been a number of public heated debates on the implication of prenatal diagnosis for the human right to life. A number of researchers and scholars have provided various reasons as to why a genetic factor should be taken into account while making decisions regarding abortion and other related aspects. Although in the recent past people made decisions majorly on grounds of poverty, prevailing war and inadequate resources, genetic factors seem to have overtaken traditional rationales in the modern world. Most medical practitioners claim that it is irresponsible for a pregnant woman to disregard abortion when the fetus is characterized by defects.
They accentuate that it is ethical to terminate the life of a defective fetus on three grounds: that a society is responsible for the good life of a child; there is no damage caused by preventing an infant from existing; and that the reproductive rights of parents do not prevail the child’s right to live a good life (Kass, 1973).
Kass states there are many chances of the genetically defective fetuses leading to a society where the genetically imperfect individuals are given minimal rights in relation to the genetically normal individuals. Kass states firmly that all human beings are equal and should equally access the fundamental human rights. One of the fundamental human rights that this scholar strongly advocates is the right to life. In the past twenty years, many societies were seen to embrace the rule of law where the human right to life was believed to be the cornerstone of moral