Prenatal diagnosis of the hemoglobinopathies: ethical issues.

Prenatal diagnosis of the hemoglobinopathies has been increasingly reported. This article discusses those ethical issues stemming from pregnancy studies by fetoscopy or placental aspiration: diagnostic accuracy and safety for mother and fetus, abortion of the fetus diagnosed as homozygous for thalassemia or sickle cell diseases, and access to prenatal diagnosis for those who cannot afford it. The author's position on these issues attempts to mediate between the poles in current ethical debate on abortion in public policy.