{"id":116901,"date":"2025-09-29T14:36:21","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T05:36:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/"},"modified":"2025-10-16T11:05:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T02:05:15","slug":"nipt-ethical-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Ethical, Legal &amp; Information Issues Surrounding NIPT"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">\u76ee\u6b21<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#Introduction_The_Advancing_Frontier_of_Prenatal_Testing_and_Its_Hidden_Challenges\" >Introduction: The Advancing Frontier of Prenatal Testing and Its Hidden Challenges<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#Basics_of_NIPT_What_Kind_of_Test_Is_It\" >Basics of NIPT: What Kind of Test Is It?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#What_Are_the_Ethical_Issues_of_NIPT\" >What Are the Ethical Issues of NIPT?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#1_Selection_Based_on_Results_the_Resurgence_of_Eugenics\" >1. Selection Based on Results &amp; the Resurgence of Eugenics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#2_Ethical_Dilemmas_from_Expanded_Testing_Targets\" >2. Ethical Dilemmas from Expanded Testing Targets<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#3_Inadequate_Information_Provision_Decision_Support\" >3. Inadequate Information Provision &amp; Decision Support<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#Legal_Challenges_Lagging_Systems_and_Guideline_Limits\" >Legal Challenges: Lagging Systems and Guideline Limits<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#The_Importance_of_Information_Management_Privacy_Protection\" >The Importance of Information Management &amp; Privacy Protection<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#Societal_Challenges_Confronting_the_Value_of_Life\" >Societal Challenges: Confronting the Value of Life<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#International_Approaches_to_NIPT_Ethical_Issues\" >International Approaches to NIPT Ethical Issues<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#The_Role_and_Challenges_for_Medical_Providers_Delivering_Neutral_Information\" >The Role and Challenges for Medical Providers: Delivering Neutral Information<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#Psychological_Burden_Risk_of_Social_Isolation_for_Pregnant_Persons\" >Psychological Burden &amp; Risk of Social Isolation for Pregnant Persons<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#Inequities_in_Information_Access_Economic_Barriers\" >Inequities in Information Access &amp; Economic Barriers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#Respecting_the_Option_to_Decline_Testing\" >Respecting the Option to Decline Testing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#Future_Challenges_the_Need_for_Social_Consensus\" >Future Challenges &amp; the Need for Social Consensus<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\/#Conclusion_How_to_Engage_Ethically_with_NIPT\" >Conclusion: How to Engage Ethically with NIPT<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction_The_Advancing_Frontier_of_Prenatal_Testing_and_Its_Hidden_Challenges\"><\/span>Introduction: The Advancing Frontier of Prenatal Testing and Its Hidden Challenges<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In recent years, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> (non\u2011invasive prenatal testing) has gained popularity among expectant mothers due to its noninvasive nature and high accuracy. Because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> can assess fetal chromosomal abnormalities early in gestation from maternal blood, it is regarded as safe and low\u2011burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, as the technology advances, various concerns\u2014often framed as <strong>ethical issues around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a><\/strong>\u2014have come to light. In this article, besides outlining the basics of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a>, we will analyze the challenges and possible responses from the perspectives of ethics, law, and data\/information management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basics_of_NIPT_What_Kind_of_Test_Is_It\"><\/span>Basics of NIPT: What Kind of Test Is It?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> (Non\u2011Invasive Prenatal Testing) analyzes cell\u2011free fetal DNA (cfDNA) present in a pregnant woman\u2019s bloodstream to assess the risk of specific chromosomal abnormalities. It primarily evaluates:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The test can be performed from around the 10th week of pregnancy onward. Because it does not involve invasive procedures, there is no risk of miscarriage, making it a viable option especially for older expectant mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_the_Ethical_Issues_of_NIPT\"><\/span>What Are the Ethical Issues of NIPT?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The range of ethical concerns surrounding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> is broad. Below are some representative issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Selection_Based_on_Results_the_Resurgence_of_Eugenics\"><\/span>1. Selection Based on Results &amp; the Resurgence of Eugenics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> result is positive, many pregnancies proceed to diagnostic tests (e.g. amniocentesis) and then must confront the decision whether to continue. This decision can imply judgments about the value of lives with disabilities, resurfacing the specter of \u201cprenatal selection\u201d or eugenics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Ethical_Dilemmas_from_Expanded_Testing_Targets\"><\/span>2. Ethical Dilemmas from Expanded Testing Targets<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With technological progress, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> is increasingly able to include sex determination or microdeletion syndromes. Commercially offered \u201cexpanded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a>\u201d may deliver information beyond medical necessity, raising concerns of \u201cknowing too much,\u201d or generating undue anxiety in expectant parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Inadequate_Information_Provision_Decision_Support\"><\/span>3. Inadequate Information Provision &amp; Decision Support<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Robust informed consent is essential to the implementation of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a>. Yet in practice, the emphasis often lies on test accuracy, while explanation of the meaning of positive results, the possibility of false positives or negatives, and postnatal support are insufficient. Such gaps may impair the ability of pregnant persons to make fully informed decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Legal_Challenges_Lagging_Systems_and_Guideline_Limits\"><\/span>Legal Challenges: Lagging Systems and Guideline Limits<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In Japan, though there exist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> guidelines from medical societies, they are mere recommendations without binding legal authority. Furthermore, some institutions operate under their own service models, producing wide variation in test quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In particular, in unlicensed facilities, tests may be offered without proper genetic counseling, risking that pregnant persons proceed under misunderstanding. This legal and institutional inadequacy could become a breeding ground for future social or legal disputes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Importance_of_Information_Management_Privacy_Protection\"><\/span>The Importance of Information Management &amp; Privacy Protection<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> handles extremely sensitive personal and genetic data, stringent information security and privacy protection are mandatory:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Patients must be explicitly informed whether data may be provided to third parties and how it is stored\/used<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The process for obtaining consent must be formalized and transparent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breaches of medical or genetic data could lead to discrimination or adverse outcomes in insurance or employment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Addressing these risks should be baked into system design and operational protocols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Societal_Challenges_Confronting_the_Value_of_Life\"><\/span>Societal Challenges: Confronting the Value of Life<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ethical issues around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> are not purely technological\u2014they are deeply tied to how society understands the value of life. In an era when prenatal testing enables selection of whether a life may be born, setting the boundaries of ethical use is a societal imperative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Strengthening social support for children with disabilities and their families, so they can live without stigma, is also fundamental to addressing underlying ethical tensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"International_Approaches_to_NIPT_Ethical_Issues\"><\/span>International Approaches to NIPT Ethical Issues<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While Japan has yet to fully deepen public debate on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> ethics, Western countries have developed varied frameworks and practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>United Kingdom<\/strong><br>Under the NHS, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> is provided under certain standards. The National Screening Committee evaluates ethical legitimacy. Introduction of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> is contingent on requirements such as \u201cnot reinforcing prejudice against people with disabilities\u201d and \u201cproviding thorough genetic counseling.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Germany<\/strong><br>Germany has approached <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> adoption through parliamentary ethical debate and now provides the test based on physician judgment and patient desire. The state takes the position of not participating in life selection\u2014reflecting a post\u2011Nazi reckoning with eugenics. This stance holds lessons for other societies, including Japan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Role_and_Challenges_for_Medical_Providers_Delivering_Neutral_Information\"><\/span>The Role and Challenges for Medical Providers: Delivering Neutral Information<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Providers play a critical role in ethical deployment of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a>, since much depends on the information pregnant persons receive and how it is framed. Providers face dilemmas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>While explaining benefits, they must also neutrally convey risks and limitations\u2014yet time or institutional constraints may prevent thorough counseling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When a patient receives a positive result and seeks guidance, how to support decision-making without imposing value judgments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collaboration with genetic counselors and the provision of pre-prepared neutral informational materials can help mitigate these challenges<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Psychological_Burden_Risk_of_Social_Isolation_for_Pregnant_Persons\"><\/span>Psychological Burden &amp; Risk of Social Isolation for Pregnant Persons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The results of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> can exert a heavy emotional impact. A positive result may trigger worries about raising a child with disabilities, perceived pressure from society or family, and conflicts with a partner\u2019s views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More severely, the institutional support for such psychological and social dilemmas is often lacking. In many settings, no robust system aids those who struggle with the decision whether to continue a pregnancy after receiving a result. Medical institutions and welfare agencies must coordinate to build consultative and counseling systems that ensure pregnant persons are not isolated.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"\/nipt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5135039_s.webp\" alt=\"\u598a\u5a66\" class=\"wp-image-116542\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Inequities_in_Information_Access_Economic_Barriers\"><\/span>Inequities in Information Access &amp; Economic Barriers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> is mostly self\u2011paid, with costs often ranging between \u00a5100,000\u2013\u00a5200,000 (or equivalent). This creates an \u201cinformation divide,\u201d in which only those with the financial means can access the test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, differences between certified facilities (with mandatory genetic counseling) and unlicensed ones (offer tests with minimal explanation) lead to disparities in the quality of information a pregnant person receives. Some may make decisions on partial information\u2014an intrinsically risky scenario. Whether to include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> in public health coverage is a critical policy issue going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Respecting_the_Option_to_Decline_Testing\"><\/span>Respecting the Option to Decline Testing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As the adoption of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> grows, \u201cgetting tested\u201d may come to be seen as the default. However, choosing <em>not<\/em> to undergo the test is equally a valid decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Providers and information sources should present <strong>not only the benefits<\/strong> but also the <strong>reasoned rationale for declining<\/strong>. In a context of plural values, supporting multiple decision pathways is part of medical respect for autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Future_Challenges_the_Need_for_Social_Consensus\"><\/span>Future Challenges &amp; the Need for Social Consensus<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The ethical issues around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> extend beyond individual or familial choice into shared societal values and institutional design. Key questions include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Who<\/strong> should provide what information?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What<\/strong> content should be included or excluded?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>By whose criteria<\/strong> do we judge \u201ccorrect decision-making\u201d?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These questions demand deliberation not only by medical professionals but also by citizens, policymakers, ethicists, and disability rights advocates. The future of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> should be shaped not just by technical progress, but by democratic and ethically grounded consensus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion_How_to_Engage_Ethically_with_NIPT\"><\/span>Conclusion: How to Engage Ethically with NIPT<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a> is an extremely sensitive test centering on life. To maximize its benefits, we need not only technical precision but also a deep understanding of the ethical, legal, and social frameworks around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Going forward, our collective tasks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Providing accurate, neutral information to pregnant persons<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Establishing professional genetic counseling systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creating legal and institutional safeguards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Respecting the choice <em>not<\/em> to test and strengthening social support<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>As pregnant individuals face the pressure of \u201cchoosing life\u201d under the influence of testing technology, society must deeply ask: how do we support them? That question may be the most sincere response to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/\">NIPT<\/a>\u2019s ethical challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Introduction: The Ad&#8230;\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/nipt-ethical-issues\/?lang=en\">\u7d9a\u304d\u3092\u8aad\u3080<\/a>","protected":false},"author":122,"featured_media":116897,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-116901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/122"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116901"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116901\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":118289,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116901\/revisions\/118289"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/116897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiro-clinic.or.jp\/nipt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}