Ebereghwa et al., J Biomed & App Sci FUD (2025) 4:1
Keywords: Couple at risk, ethical challenges, prenatal diagnosis, sickle cell disease
2025-10-01 DOI: Ebereghwa et al. JOBASFUD_2024_3_2_030
Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a life-long debilitating condition, significantly impacting quality of life, healthcare resources and survival rates. Prenatal diagnosis (PD) is a vital reproductive option for at-risk couples, allowing early detection of genetic disorders. However, these advancements raise significant ethical dilemmas for parents and healthcare providers in supporting informed decision-making. Objectives: This study examines the ethical challenges associated with PD for SCD, focusing on its impact on couples at risk, societal implications and the role of healthcare providers in supporting informed decision making. Methods: Data were reviewed from PubMed, Google Scholar and African Index Medicus using relevant keywords. Ethical issues such as information provision, patient decision making process, the morality of abortion, genetic selection, cultural and religious influences and justice in healthcare access were critically analyzed. Findings: Invasive PD methods, such as chorionic villus sampling, pose risks of miscarriage and raise concerns about safety and reproductive choice. Ethical dilemmas stem from selective abortion, societal pressures and perceptions of genetic selection, which some equate with modern eugenics. Religious and cultural beliefs heavily influence couples’ decisions, especially in contexts like Nigeria, where abortion laws are restrictive. The societal and economic burden of SCD creates tension between individual reproductive autonomy and broader public health concerns. Non-directive genetic counselling and equitable access to PD remain critical yet under-addressed aspects in low-resource settings. Conclusion: Ethical considerations surrounding PD for SCD extend beyond individual autonomy to include societal and cultural factors. Healthcare providers must adopt a multidisciplinary approach, ensuring equitable access, non-directive counselling and support for at-risk couples navigating these complex decisions.