Abstract
Most research on prenatal fetal testing in general, and maternal alpha- fetoprotein (AFP) screening in particular, has focused on women who accept and even actively seek prenatal diagnosis. Much of this work suggests that agreeing to prenatal diagnosis is inextricably linked to the processes associated with the 'medicalization' of reproduction and that most women do not see refusal as an option. In contrast, little attention has been paid to women who decline fetal diagnosis. Instead, it is generally assumed that women who do so are resisting this thrust toward medicalization and/or are opposed to abortion. Our research is designed to address this imbalance. We analyze how a group of US women who refused the offer of AFP screening account for their decisions and compare their explanations with those of women who took the test. Contrary to our expectations, we found that refusal did not signify rejection of and/or resistance to the offerings of science and technology. Rather, women who refused often employed biomedical categories, particularly the concept of 'risk', to reject its very offerings. Furthermore, refusers and acceptors were more alike than different in their views on abortion, medicalization and pregnancy. We conclude that the key difference between the two groups lies in their interpretation and application of biomedical concepts and modern risk-assessment.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 359-369 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Social Science and Medicine |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 1999 |
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Keywords
- Maternal serum alpha fetoprotein
- Medicalization of reproduction
- Prenatal screening
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Economics and Econometrics
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Social Psychology
- Development
- Health(social science)
Cite this
'Because of the risks' : How US pregnant women account for refusing prenatal screening. / Markens, Susan; Browner, C. H.; Press, Nancy.
In: Social Science and Medicine, Vol. 49, No. 3, 08.1999, p. 359-369.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - 'Because of the risks'
T2 - How US pregnant women account for refusing prenatal screening
AU - Markens, Susan
AU - Browner, C. H.
AU - Press, Nancy
PY - 1999/8
Y1 - 1999/8
N2 - Most research on prenatal fetal testing in general, and maternal alpha- fetoprotein (AFP) screening in particular, has focused on women who accept and even actively seek prenatal diagnosis. Much of this work suggests that agreeing to prenatal diagnosis is inextricably linked to the processes associated with the 'medicalization' of reproduction and that most women do not see refusal as an option. In contrast, little attention has been paid to women who decline fetal diagnosis. Instead, it is generally assumed that women who do so are resisting this thrust toward medicalization and/or are opposed to abortion. Our research is designed to address this imbalance. We analyze how a group of US women who refused the offer of AFP screening account for their decisions and compare their explanations with those of women who took the test. Contrary to our expectations, we found that refusal did not signify rejection of and/or resistance to the offerings of science and technology. Rather, women who refused often employed biomedical categories, particularly the concept of 'risk', to reject its very offerings. Furthermore, refusers and acceptors were more alike than different in their views on abortion, medicalization and pregnancy. We conclude that the key difference between the two groups lies in their interpretation and application of biomedical concepts and modern risk-assessment.
AB - Most research on prenatal fetal testing in general, and maternal alpha- fetoprotein (AFP) screening in particular, has focused on women who accept and even actively seek prenatal diagnosis. Much of this work suggests that agreeing to prenatal diagnosis is inextricably linked to the processes associated with the 'medicalization' of reproduction and that most women do not see refusal as an option. In contrast, little attention has been paid to women who decline fetal diagnosis. Instead, it is generally assumed that women who do so are resisting this thrust toward medicalization and/or are opposed to abortion. Our research is designed to address this imbalance. We analyze how a group of US women who refused the offer of AFP screening account for their decisions and compare their explanations with those of women who took the test. Contrary to our expectations, we found that refusal did not signify rejection of and/or resistance to the offerings of science and technology. Rather, women who refused often employed biomedical categories, particularly the concept of 'risk', to reject its very offerings. Furthermore, refusers and acceptors were more alike than different in their views on abortion, medicalization and pregnancy. We conclude that the key difference between the two groups lies in their interpretation and application of biomedical concepts and modern risk-assessment.
KW - Maternal serum alpha fetoprotein
KW - Medicalization of reproduction
KW - Prenatal screening
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0033015696&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0277-9536(99)00097-0
DO - 10.1016/S0277-9536(99)00097-0
M3 - Article
C2 - 10414820
AN - SCOPUS:0033015696
VL - 49
SP - 359
EP - 369
JO - Social Science and Medicine
JF - Social Science and Medicine
SN - 0277-9536
IS - 3
ER -