The Ethical responsibility to Increase Access to Non-invasive Prenatal Trisomy 21 Testing for Pregnant Women in Low Socio- Economic Groups in South Africa

Abstract

Despite the increasing numbers of Trisomy 21 related pregnancies among women below the age of 35, many women from low socio-economic groups in South Africa still do not have access to Trisomy 21 prenatal testing. Research has revealed that low socio-economic conditions play a role in the development of Trisomy 21. This cohort of women could benefit greatly from the government taking the initiative to increase access to screening to afford them the opportunity to better prepare for the affected baby and reinforce their reproductive autonomy. This would also serve as a public health initiative and lower the harms faced by mother and child, thus decreasing the rate of mother-and-infant mortality and morbidity. In turn, the government can lower their long-term expenditure on managing complications from untreated Trisomy 21 related medical conditions. There is, however, an ethical responsibility to increase access to Trisomy 21 prenatal testing for all women in low socio-economic groups in South Africa regardless of their health risks and indication.