Moreover, the Catholic Church welcomes testing when it functions as an extension of sound medical practice. Genetic testing can assist sound decision-making in a wide range of situations. It is most commonly employed to detect problems with newborns. Moreover, millions of Americans are hospitalized every year because of hereditary disease and congenital defects. To the extent that genetic testing sets the stage for a cure or effective therapy, it is a blessing.
Testing has legitimate uses even in the delicate arena of human reproduction.
Young couples considering marriage may want to know whether one or both partners carry a gene associated with mental retardation, cystic fibrosis, breast cancer, or some other heritable condition. While such testing carries risk, it can be considered an act of prudence, whether the couple subsequently decides to marry or not. More and more frequently, expectant mothers are undergoing amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, and other tests to detect genetic anomalies in their unborn children. However, some prenatal testing poses significant risks to the unborn child, especially when performed on embryos before selection for implantation in the womb. Disturbing test results can also tempt individuals to make decisions not in accord with sound morality.