Neutrality in the Context of Prenatal Testing — Clarifying the Responsibilities of Healthcare Professionals and Government through examination on Debates Concerning Liberal Eugenics
Aya Enzo
Volume 9 Issue 1
First Published: August 21, 2026
[in Japanese]
Abstract
In Japan, the governments and medical professionals had held restrictive attitudes toward the provision of prenatal testing and related information. However, triggered by the introduction and rapid spread of NIPT (Non-invasive prenatal genetic testing), They have recently begun radical policy changes to toward providing information on prenatal testing to pregnant women and others as part of comprehensive support for pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare. Within this new policy, the terms ‘neutral’ and ‘non-directive’ are often used to represent the ethical stance of healthcare professionals and the governments. This paper examines what this “neutral” attitude entails more precisely, why it is regarded as a desirable attitude of healthcare professionals and the governments and whether it is truly the most appropriate attitude for the government and healthcare professionals. To clarify these issues, the paper focuses on debates surrounding the ‘state neutrality’ of liberal eugenics. Ultimately, the paper aims to clarify the role expected of governments in providing technology for prenatal screening and selective abortion.
Key words
Eugenics, liberal eugenics, prenatal test, NIPT (Non-invasive prenatal genetic testing), state neutrality
