Qualitative Research on Expanded Prenatal and Newborn Screening: Robust but Marginalized

Screening technologies are iteratively transforming how people experience pregnancy and early parenting. A new class of newborn patients are being created and particular forms of parental vigilance are emerging. HIP Investigator Dr. Rachel Grob wrote extensive qualitative literature that documents all of these social phenomena, and more, in connection with the spread of prenatal and newborn screening.

This essay uses qualitative research on prenatal and newborn screening as a case study for illustrating the broad methodological, ideological, and dialogical issues at stake.