Legal problems of applying modern methods for prenatal genetic diagnostics in Russia

The paper analyzes current ethical and legal problems related to prenatal genetic diagnostics, which is an important part of Russia’s strategy of transition to personalized medicine. Particular attention is paid to the problems of the effectiveness of prenatal diagnostics and legal regulation of the use of modern genetic technologies for non-invasive diagnosis of genetic and chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. The legal mechanisms for using data on genetic disorders in the fetus and gaps in legislation are considered. Purpose: to analyze the legal regulation of issues of prenatal genetic diagnostics in Russia and its modern non-invasive methods, to identify urgent problems of their application and to determine possible ways to solve them. Methods: the authors use empirical methods of comparison, description, interpretation; theoretical methods of formal and dialectical logic; as well as special scientific methods of interpretation of legal norms and legal-dogmatic. Results: it is concluded that the national regulatory framework needs to improve the legal regime for DNA testing. The need to introduce non-invasive diagnostic technologies into the practice of medical genetic counselling for the general population as the safest and most progressive method of genetic diagnostics is identified.