The health ministry plans in principle to inform all pregnant women about prenatal testing, a method for examining whether unborn babies have chromosome-related medical conditions such as Down syndrome, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
The move is the first change of policy on this matter in about 20 years. The government has taken a stance that doctors don't have to provide the relevant information to pregnant women in a proactive manner, due to insufficient counselling systems and other factors.
In 1999, when prenatal testing was spreading rapidly, the government stated that doctors were not necessarily encouraged to inform pregnant women of the testing, saying its accuracy was questioned. Prenatal testing includes several types of tests, such as noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) that can be conducted easily with just a blood sample, as well as amniotic fluid tests and ultrasounds. It has been pointed out that these tests are ethically controversial, as they could lead to abortions.
Because NIPT has become widespread, some pregnant women take tests after obtaining unreliable information on the internet. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry aims to provide accurate information.
In the envisaged system, public health nurses and other personnel will explain about prenatal testing in person when pregnant women visit municipal government offices to receive maternal handbooks or during their first prenatal checkup at a medical institution. A brochure about the testing, which describes the purpose and the details of the tests, will be distributed.
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