Are prospective parents being given sufficient information by medical practitioners in relation to genetic testing to give informed consent?

My PhD project aims to assess the quality of information delivered by medical practitioners to prospective parents in relation to genetic testing and whether informed consent to such testing is being sufficiently received. The interests of the unborn child will be taken into consideration and the ethical arguments surrounding this.

I will aim to assess the quality of information delivered in conversations between medical practitioners and prospective parents and decipher whether the parents feel able to make an informed decision based on the information received. I will also assess the current legal standard for disclosure of information and consider whether the courts have struck an appropriate balance between the interests of medical professionals and patients.

My goal is to reduce the number of unnecessary terminations and increase the understanding and knowledge of prospective parents in relation to the genetic testing process before they deliver their consent. I also aim to increase the quality of information being delivered by medical practitioners to eradicate decision-making that is based on fear or uncertainty. The objective is to ultimately make every decision the correct decision under the circumstances.