Imagine a genetic counselor working with a young couple
pregnant with their first child. The explosion of genetic knowledge
and technology in recent years is complicating this professional
relationship as a host of new choices brings a few clients with
atypical needs. This couple is deaf. They seek not to avoid
a child with their disability but rather to assure that the
child too will be deaf—a child to share their culture
and perspectives on the world. If prenatal diagnosis indicates
that the prospective child would be hearing, they intend to
terminate the pregnancy and try again. So, how should the counselor
respond to this request for services? Does a traditional deference
to parental autonomy in reproductive matters require that we
respect such decisions by informed couples? More broadly, what
are the concepts by which society will guide policy in this
new and sensitive domain?
