Prenatal testing based on cell-free fetal DNA in maternal serum is now possible for specific monogenic conditions, and studies have shown that the use of non-invasive testing is supported by prospective parents and health professionals. However, some ethical issues have been raised concerning informed consent and paternal rights. The objective of this study was to explore ethical aspects of the use of non-invasive prenatal diagnostic testing for @entity74 . We used a qualitative cross-sectional design, based on Thematic Analysis, and recruited 27 individuals of reproductive age who were carriers of one of four conditions: thalassaemia, @entity3458 , @entity1577 or @entity2057 . Data were collected via focus groups or interviews. @entity1 were aware of the potential for such tests to be viewed as routine and suggested that obtaining written consent and allowing time for consideration is needed to facilitate autonomous choice and informed consent. All @entity1 felt that mothers should be able to request such tests, but fathers who declined carrier testing should be made aware that fetal test results may reveal their status. We suggest that a written record of consent for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis should be used as a standard to help reinforce the serious nature of the test results. Where the father's carrier status could be revealed through fetal testing, he should be made aware of this before the results are available. Health professionals should discuss with the pregnant @entity1 the best way to manage unsought information about the father's carrier status to minimise family disruption.

An easy test but a hard decision: ethical issues concerning non-invasive prenatal testing for XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'woman', 'Participants'] @entity3458 :: ('MESH:D000755', 'Disease') :: ['sickle cell disease'] @entity74 :: ('MESH:D030342', 'Disease') :: ['autosomal recessive disorders'] @entity2057 :: ('MESH:D009133', 'Disease') :: ['spinal muscular atrophy'] @entity1577 :: ('MESH:D003550', 'Disease') :: ['cystic fibrosis']
@entity74 :: (MESH:D030342,Disease) :: ['autosomal recessive disorders']
