Parental Civil Liability for Fetal Disorders in the Legal Systems of Iran and the United States
Keywords:
parental liability, fetal disorders, negligence, protection of fetal rights, Iranian law, U.S. lawAbstract
This article examines the issue of parental liability for fetal disorders through a comparative approach between the legal systems of Iran and the United States. The fetal period, regarded as the most sensitive and critical stage in the formation of the human body and psyche, holds particular significance in this discussion. Parental roles in this context are manifested through actions such as genetic counseling, disclosure of genetic histories, and prenatal care. Today, not only medical norms but also public customs emphasize the necessity of such measures, and parents who fail to fulfill these duties are held accountable. This study, conducted using a descriptive-analytical method, concludes that parental negligence—when it endangers fetal health and results in disorders, illnesses, or disabilities—renders parents liable for compensating the damages inflicted upon the fetus. It is also recommended that, given the importance of the fetal period and the fetus's inability to make decisions concerning its own health, the legislator should enact specific protective laws to safeguard fetal rights. Ultimately, inspired by the U.S. legal system, the article proposes that Iranian law should also require parents who opt for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and are aware of the risk of transmitting lethal or serious genetic abnormalities to their offspring, to employ preventive measures such as preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).
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