Abstract

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) was used ten times more in the US than in the UK between 2014 and 2016. Since people utilise web material to support their decisionmaking in receiving PGT, we should examine the ethical quality of such online material. To examine such, I performed a qualitative content analysis comparing 36 websites in the US and 29 websites in the UK. The qualitative content analysis is related to a concise cross-cultural comparison of the US and UK medical industries. This research showed more widespread use of persuasive material in the US (26%) than in the UK (17%). There was also one-third more mentioning of disability in the US (16%) than in the UK (12%), most of which was in a negative tone. The UK (44%) presented more value-laden words in their PGT web material than the US (38%), both of which are extensive. While the US has more precedence to medical testing, the fertile clinic web material potentially could exacerbate the rate at which people get PGT due to persuasive content and exposure. Simultaneously, there are websites in both the US and the UK which utilise persuasive content that might compromise patient autonomy due to misrepresentation of the capabilities of PGT in increasing the likelihood of reproduction. Finally, it is concluded that communication in the UK and the US could contribute to injustice for people with disability. This is more a precedented issue in the US due to the rate of PGT testing. This conclusion is formed due to the tone in which disability is presented being negatively biased and not offering the patient enough information to make an informed decision regarding the injustice PGT already places on people with disability. Thus, this thesis argues, patient autonomy is not strong enough to outweigh the injustice.