ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the rationale for sickle cell screening, including background, prevalence and program description. Screening programmes provide clinical advantages, but there is also the risk of harm. Neonatal screening for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) allows early diagnosis and therefore early treatment and education. However, such a screening programme must take into consideration a number of socio-ethical concerns. In particular, there are three socio-ethical issues we would like to explore. First, as a result of neonatal screening and without having requested the information, we can identify carriers of the sickle cell trait at a time when concern about carrier status may not be a priority. Second, there are a number of approaches to neonatal screening for SCD. Third, given the trend to promote community engagement, and the mounting pressure from advocacy groups to expand newborn screening programs, a decision to introduce newborn screening for SCD must proceed with careful consideration of the relevant ethical and social issues.
