Abstract |
There is no specific therapy for sickle cell disease, and there is no evidence that sickle hemoglobin screening by conventional methods will lead to a significant reduction in the number of children with sickle cell disease. Thus it follows that if there is to be a national program to prevent sickle cell disease, the only recourse is one based on prenatal diagnosis and selective abortion of affected embryos or fetuses. Present-day dire poverty and callous health care public policies lead to the inescapable conclusion that a concerted attempt to alleviate poverty and its consequent adverse effects on maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality should take precedence over, or at the least coincide with, a national program to prevent sickle cell disease. On the other hand, it is argued that a woman should have the right to decide whether or not she wishes to have a child with a genetic disorder, and that recent advances in research on prenatal diagnosis, particularly when supported by public funds, should be made available to all, and not just the affluent.
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Authors | J E Bowman |
Journal | The American journal of pediatric hematology/oncology
(Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol)
Vol. 5
Issue 4
Pg. 367-72
( 1983)
ISSN: 0192-8562 [Print] United States |
PMID | 6367521
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Topics |
- Abortion, Induced
- Anemia, Sickle Cell
(economics, genetics, prevention & control)
- Black People
- Female
- Health Policy
- Heterozygote
- Humans
- Medicaid
(legislation & jurisprudence)
- Pregnancy
- Prenatal Diagnosis
- United States
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