Public Perception of Prenatal Genetic Testing: Arguments Put forward by the Public during a Participatory Policy Project in the Netherlands

Vol. 11, No. 1, 2008

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Original Paper

Public Perception of Prenatal Genetic Testing: Arguments Put forward by the Public during a Participatory Policy Project in the Netherlands
Tjard de Cock Buning, Jacqueline E.W. Broerse, Joske F.G. Bunders

Department of Biology and Society, Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Address of Corresponding Author

Community Genet 2008;11:52-62 (DOI: 10.1159/000111700)

Key Words

Public perception
Prenatal genetic testing
Policy development, interactive
Citizen panels
Health policy

Abstract

In early 2002, the Dutch Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport piloted the application of an interactive process to policy development in the field of medical biotechnology. In such an approach, relevant societal actors, including the public at large, are actively involved in an open exchange, planning, action and reflection process. This paper reports on the findings of one of the activities of the ministry within this initiative, the consultation of the public on dilemmas with respect to prenatal genetic testing by means of citizen panels. Participants were asked to reflect on questions with respect to whether and under which conditions pregnant women may have freedom of choice to use prenatal genetic testing. In a structured way, arguments in favour and against various positions were identified and prioritized. The paper closes with a discussion on the implications of the use of citizen panels and summarizes the 2 actual policy changes of the ministry that resulted from this process.

Author Contacts

Tjard de Cock Buning
Department of Biology and Society, Athena Institute, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1087
NL-1081 HV Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
Tel. +31 20 598 6657, Fax +31 20 598 7027, E-Mail tjard.de.cock.buning@falw.vu.nl

Article Information

Published online: January 15, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 11
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 23

Medline Abstract (ID 18196918)

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Public Health Genomics
is the continuation of
Community Genetics

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