Date of Award
Spring 2023
Degree Type
Thesis
Director of Thesis
Dr. George Khushf
First Reader
Dr. Leah McClimans
Second Reader
Dr. Leah McClimans
Abstract
Newborn screening programs have been mandated throughout the United States since the 1960s, and technological advancements have allowed for their evolution into the essential public health entities they are today (Arnold 558). These programs screen newborns for a variety of congenital and genetic conditions in all states, but each state varies in conditions screened and policies for collecting and using samples. Residual blood spots are a key component of these programs because they are often used for secondary purposes, such as for quality assurance and public health or biomedical research (Botkin et al. 121). Ethical challenges have arisen related to consent and privacy policies employed by states. Legal cases have arisen surrounding the accessibility of these blood spots by outside entities, such as law enforcement agencies. Problems with informed consent, privacy protections, and transparency within many states’ programs call for the alteration of policies so that citizens’ autonomy and privacy are upheld and so that trust and support for these public health initiatives are sustained.
First Page
1
Last Page
46
Recommended Citation
Donovan, Devin, "The Ethical Challenges of Newborn Screening Programs in the United States" (2023). Senior Theses. 598.
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/senior_theses/598
Rights
© 2023, Devin Donovan