RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Benefits, challenges and ethical principles associated with implementing noninvasive prenatal testing: a Delphi study
JF CMAJ Open
JO CMAJ
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP E513
OP E519
DO 10.9778/cmajo.20180083
VO 6
IS 4
A1 Charles Dupras
A1 Stanislav Birko
A1 Aliya Affdal
A1 Hazar Haidar
A1 Marie-Eve Lemoine
A1 Vardit Ravitsky
YR 2018
UL http://www.cmajopen.ca/content/6/4/E513.abstract
AB Background: Noninvasive prenatal testing is a recent technology that provides some genetic information about the fetus through the analysis of cell-free fetal DNA circulating in maternal blood. We aimed to identify the benefits, challenges and guiding ethical principles most relevant to the clinical integration of noninvasive prenatal testing in Canada, according to experts throughout the country.Methods: We conducted a 3-round Delphi study involving Canadian experts of contemporary discussions about the ethical and societal implications of prenatal testing and genomic technologies. In round 1, we asked participants to identify clinical benefits and challenges related to the implementation of noninvasive prenatal testing in Canada, and the ethical principles they think should guide it. In round 2, we asked participants to select the most important elements stated by their peers. In round 3, participants were informed of the aggregated results from round 2, and invited to revise or confirm their selection.Results: Round 1 had a participation rate of 20.2%, and involved 61 participants. Subsequent rounds 2 and 3 had retention rates of 95.1% (n = 58) and 84.5% (n = 49), respectively. Through these discussions, we identified 3 lists of benefits (n = 10), challenges (n = 27), and ethical principles (n = 16) prioritized by Canadian experts as being most relevant to the implementation of noninvasive prenatal testing in Canada.Interpretation: Although multiple and diverse potential issues were identified, Canadian experts agreed on 2 sets of requirements for the responsible implementation of noninvasive prenatal testing in Canada. Interdisciplinary appraisals may be instrumental to responsible policy-making related to the implementation of noninvasive prenatal testing in Canada.