Prenatal Down Syndrome Now Detectable with a Simple, Accurate Blood Test

[ensho]

http://singularityhub.com/2011/03/17/prenatal-down-syndrome-now-detectable-with-a-simple-accurate-blood-test/


-snip-

Thankfully, we’re getting closer to the day when those 5-inch needles can be a thing of the past.


Genetic disorders are a broad and complex set of abnormalities in an individual’s DNA that can be evident in the womb or lay hidden until a later point in life. Down syndrome is one of the former and is the most common chromosomal condition, affecting one in every 691 babies. While it is most commonly associated with a characteristic physical appearance, other aspects of the syndrome can vary significantly from one individual to another, such as developmental delays, impairments in physical growth, and a range of other health issues, some life threatening. Nowadays, expectant mothers are warned about the possibility of Down syndrome especially because the risk for Down syndrome rises abruptly with age. In fact, the incidence rate increases from 1 in 1,250 at age 25 to 1 in 106 at age 40, and by age 49, that risk is 1 in 11.

-snip-

This new methodology not only reflects the power and potential of genetics screening, but it adds to the arsenal of prenatal knowledge that healthcare professionals and parents are gaining access to and at an earlier stage in gestation. A few years ago, we highlighted some of this progress with preimplantation genetic diagnosis for IVF embryos, but for parents who’ve gone about making babies the low tech way, earlier detection is important for making decisions about lifestyles. Let’s face it: raising a child with a genetic disorder can be daunting and many who discover the presence of trisomy 21 opt to terminate the pregnancy, as much as 92 percent in the UK. Ethics aside, this new test for Down syndrome will hopefully become part of the multitude of prenatal genetic conditions that are currently part of standard screens. Considering that 1 in 5 women have their first children after age 35, a new test can’t come soon enough.

------------------------

wonderful news

[FedUpWithIt All]

1. A first trimester blood screen has been available for a number of years now

It was an optional procedure and less often used than the second trimester amnio due to fears that it was less affective.

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/firstscreen.html


There was also the risk of a false positive.

I am personally opposed to testing for and the the termination of a down syndrome fetus in my own pregnancies but am happy with the earlier screening possibilities for those who would choose to terminate during a down syndrome pregnancy.

[mb7588a]

2. Good or bad?

The drug companies can't wait for parents to terminate fetuses that have a high likelihood of disability/complications (read: high lifetime cost).

It's a side effect of the health insurance law, and it's shameful for insurance companies to start encouraging these things.

Humans are humans, regardless of any "differences."

[kiva]

3. I agree that insurance companies will likely be pleased with this,

but let's be honest and admit that many prospective parents will also willingly use this test, just as they have the more intrusive test. I recognize that many people have your attitude about "differences", but the challenges involved in raising and caring for a Down Syndrome child mean that not everyone wants to do so - and that is their right to choose.

[mb7588a]

4. You're right. It is their choice. nt.

[jmowreader]

5. The Republicans will pressure the FDA to not approve this test

Caring for a Down Syndrome child is not an easy thing, and quite a few parents don't want to do it. When the RW figures out women could make abortion decisions based on the outcome of this test, they will do their damndest to keep people from getting it.

[kickysnana]

6. It becomes harder whent the child grows up.

If they live at home they cannot get help because they now count parental income. Aging parents who have kids in halfway houses are forever putting out fires and worry a lot.

[Dappleganger]

7. quite true.

My mother had a sister growing up w/downs and when she was older they passed her from sister to sister to care for her until she was too difficult and they put her into a nursing home. If she had more skilled care/training I can't help but wonder that her quality of life would have been better. Most of the sisters were kind to her but there were some who weren't. :(

[jacquelope]

8. But on the down low Republicans support abortions for this.

They'll be trying to force women to abort kids who run the risk of Down's.

They won't do it by legalizing it, they'll do it by letting insurance companies force the issue.