ABSTRACT
Physicians are key actors in the planning and execution of prenatal screening. Medical researchers develop the needed technical know-how, while physicians in decision-making positions are crucial in introducing prenatal screening. This chapter aims to compare physicians' opinions on prenatal screening in two European countries, Finland and Greece. It provides a specific example of prenatal genetic screening investigated was screening for increased risk for Down's syndrome-using biomarkers in maternal serum. In both countries this was in the process of being introduced and physicians are all familiar with Down's syndrome. The chapter suggests that there is a common medical culture concerning prenatal screening in Finland and Greece. The introduction of population screening for one disease paves the way for acceptance of others. The experience of Greek physicians with thalassaemia screening influenced their judgment on the desirability of screening for other conditions.
