Table 2 Attitudes towards 11 issues in prenatal diagnosis (N, (%))

Q1. Prenatal diagnosis by ultrasound and blood test in pregnancy week 11–13 should be offered to all pregnant women, without co-payment

Q2. I think pregnant women whose fetus has been shown to have Down syndrome often experience pressure and expectations that they choose abortion

Q3. It is ethically acceptable to choose abortion because the fetus has Down syndrome

Q4. An offer of prenatal diagnosis to all pregnant women will send a signal that people with Down syndrome are unwanted in society

Q5. It is ethically more problematic to choose abortion when the child was initially planned and desired (as it usually is in prenatal testing) than when the pregnancy was unplanned and unwanted

Q6. A society that offers prenatal diagnosis to all pregnant women, can be criticized for being a sorting society

Q7. Those whose fetus has been diagnosed with Down syndrome, but still complete the pregnancy, should not expect extensive assistance from the state

Q8. When the fetus has Down syndrome, the pregnant woman should have an ethical obligation to choose abortion

Q9. Abortion is acceptable if the fetus has a disorder that would place a heavy burden of care on the family

Q10. I think pregnant women whose fetus has been shown to have Down syndrome often experience pressures and expectations that they complete pregnancy (that is, not to choose abortion)

Q11. In the future it might be possible to map all fetal genes through a blood test of the mother in early pregnancy. Consider the claim: If such a blood test becomes available, it should be legal in Norway for all pregnant women