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Noninvasive, prenatal whole genome sequencing (NIPW) may be a technological reality in the near future, making available a vast array of genetic information early in pregnancy at no risk to the fetus or mother. Many worry that the timing, safety, and ease of the test will lead to informational overload and reproductive consumerism. The prevailing response among commentators has been to restrict conditions eligible for testing based on medical severity, which imposes disputed value judgments and devalues those living with eligible conditions. To avoid these difficulties, we propose an unrestricted testing policy, under which prospective parents could obtain information on any variant of known significance after a careful informed consent process that uses an interactive decision aid to deliver a mandatory presentation on the purposes, techniques, and limitations of genomic testing, as well as optional resources for reflection and consultation. This process would encourage thoughtful, informed deliberation by prospective parents before deciding whether or how to use NIPW. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a response to commentaries on unrestricted prenatal whole-genome sequencing. Topics covered include the challenge of enabling prospective parents to make informed choices, the potential effect of the deficiencies of health care system on any scheme for offering noninvasive whole genome sequencing (NWGS) and the assumption that funding for NWGS should be determined under a health rubric.