ABSTRACT
In ancient Greece, in the pre-Homer period, people believed that monstrous gods existed. In the years after Homer, it was believed that these few monstrous gods lived in distant areas such as Arcadia. They were not included amongst the twelve known Olympian gods, by whom they were ignored. Prenatal and genetic diagnostics (PND) have brought new knowledge to light as a result of the developments in these new technologies. The prevention of congenital anomalies through PND depends to a large extent on the awareness of the available methods among the public and their acceptance. It seems that psychological issues in PND and genetic counselling are now recognized by clinicians and researchers as being of high importance. Also important is the need for the incorporation of relevant knowledge in everyday prenatal practice, both in public and private sectors. Nowadays in Greece, the attitude of patients, medical staff, and Greek society in general remains medico-centred to a large degree.
