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Medicolegal Aspects of Prenatal Diagnosis

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Book cover Genetic Disorders and the Fetus

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Abstract

Most physicians are aware of the increasing number of malpractice cases called “wrongful birth” and “wrongful life,” which expose them to legal liabilities due to failure to take into account, or act upon the knowledge of, an increased risk of the birth of an infant with physical or mental abnormalities. Prior to 1970 the fetus was considered, by parents and physicians alike, to be ensconced in a little black box that allowed no examination before birth except by stethoscope and X rays. The only predictions that might be made about fetal status were based upon genetic (Mendelian) risks and nongenetic (statistical) risks. Nowadays that little black box has windows in it for viewing its contents. The view may be direct, as in amniography, fetoscopy, and ultrasonic imaging, or it may be indirect, as in amniocentesis, chorionic villus biopsy, or fetal tissue and blood sampling. The knowledge gained about the fetus during the last 15 years has been extensive and the physician who fails to utilize this expanded knowledge does so at his or her own peril.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Medical Genetics, Community Medicine, and Health Law, Health Law Program, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA

    Margery W. Shaw

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  1. Margery W. Shaw
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Human Genetics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Aubrey Milunsky MB.B.Ch., D.Sc., F.R.C.P., D.C.H. (Professor of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pathology, Director) (Professor of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pathology, Director)

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© 1986 Aubrey Milunsky

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Shaw, M.W. (1986). Medicolegal Aspects of Prenatal Diagnosis. In: Milunsky, A. (eds) Genetic Disorders and the Fetus. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5155-9_28

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5155-9_28

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-5157-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-5155-9

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