Ethical dimensions of non-aggressive fetal management

SummaryThis article discusses the clinical ethics concept of the fetus as a patient, and identifies the implications of this for non-aggressive fetal management. The clinical ethical concept of the fetus as a patient is explained by reference to the ethical principles of beneficence and respect for autonomy. We argue that non-aggressive fetal management is ethically justified when there is a very high probability – but sometimes less than complete certainty – about the diagnosis, and either (1) a very high probability of death as an outcome of the anomaly diagnosed, or (2) survival with a very high probability of a severe and irreversible deficit of cognitive developmental capacity as a result of the anomaly diagnosed.