Prenatal Screening for Anomalies: Between Clinical Finality and Selective Finality

This article summarizes the results of two works of research carried out independently of one another in France. What makes it possible to present them together – like two facets of a medical practice – is the question of prenatal screening and the ethical problems which arise for people who are very much involved in this field, albeit in radically different ways: disabled persons on the one hand, and obstetrician-gynaecologists and ultrasonographers on the other. The people interviewed for the purposes of these two works of research throw an interesting light on the matter, based on their experiences and impressions. With regard to the disabled persons, it was a case of trying to remedy the social attitude which considers that they have nothing to say on these questions, despite the fact that they are of direct concern. Regarding the study of ultrasonographers and obstetrician-gynaecologists, the aim was to gain an understanding of how they had got through the intense debate that followed the Perruche ruling and the consequences of “life or prejudicial birth” actions on their professional practices and their views on the finality of prenatal screening.