Social issues of "prenatal genetic test" in East Asia

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26360039
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Gender
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Hong Hyunsoo 東京大学, 医科学研究所, 特任助教 (70313400)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 東アジア / 出生前遺伝学的検査 / 言説分析 / 規制状況 / インタビュー調査 / ジェンダー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aims to compare how 'prenatal genetic testing' has been introduced and became common practice in East Asian societies and to elucidate the points of view for the acceptance process of 'prenatal genetic testing'. For that purpose, this study's methodology analyzes the discourse of newspapers, interviews of those who control the testing, those who provide it, and the users in each society. As a result, in South Korea and Taiwan, ‘prenatal genetic testing’ has been willingly accepted as a ‘new technology’. However, in Japan, the testing has been debated carefully, and with some conflicts, it is slowly being accepted. In the background of these reactions there are a number of complex factors which are deeply involved such as, social discourse, national policies, and gender roles. These findings show that it would be essential to disseminate accurate information about taking the test and correct information on disabilities.

Free Research Field

文化人類学、生命倫理、ジェンダー