Antenatal screening and the gendering of genetic responsibility. (360G-Wellcome-079723_Z_06_Z)

£16,175

BACKGROUND Antenatal blood tests for genetic defects are offered to women throughout pregnancy. During this process male partners are tested only where a combined positive male and female test could result in foetal abnormality such as sickle cell anaemia. Little is known about the gendered nature of this process and the impact it has on lay feelings of genetic responsibility. For example, as the key targets of testing, do women feel more responsible than men for genetic defects? How does this impact on parental decision-making when defects are found? A better understanding of male and female conceptions of this process could enhance practice in antenatal screening and genetic counselling. METHOD This research is a pilot study thus sample numbers will be small. The research will be conducted in the city of Sheffield. In order to fully explore the gendered nature of prenatal screening, views will be sought from both pregnant women and their partners. Twenty pregnant women and their male partners will be interviewed individually using semi-structured interviews. The same interview questions will be used for both partners. These questions will focus on screening procedures and the decision- making process: for example, which tests are opted for and why? Do couples decide which tests to opt for together? A diverse sample will be accessed through community and hospital midwives from two distinct locations in Sheffield. In order to adequately explore the screening process, women in the study will be at least 17 weeks pregnant. On collection of data, interviews will be transcribed and themes developed.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 16175
Applicant Surname Reed
Approval Committee Biomedical Ethics Funding Committee
Award Date 2006-06-12T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2005/06
Grant Programme: Title Project funding: Inactive scheme
Internal ID 079723/Z/06/Z
Lead Applicant Prof Kate Reed
Partnership Value 16175
Planned Dates: End Date 2008-01-31T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2006-11-01T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region Yorkshire and the Humber