Scientists could soon be able to routinely screen unborn babies for thousands of genetic conditions, raising concerns the breakthrough could lead to more abortions.
A team has been able to predict the whole genetic code of a foetus by taking a blood sample from a woman who was 18 weeks pregnant, and a swab of saliva from the father.
They believe that, in time, the test will become widely available, enabling doctors to screen unborn babies for some 3,500 genetic disorders.
This breakthrough opens up all kinds of ethical consideration. Knowing the problem before the child is born can lead to prenatal and newborn treatments. On the other hand, knowing the child will be born with serious birth defects or a high probability of a number of fatal diseases could lead to more abortions. Just having the test could be a hard decision for many. This will surely raise both political and legal questions.
At the moment the only genetic disorder routinely tested for is Downs syndrome. However, simple tests for other genetic disorders are just around the corner.
Unborn babies could be tested for 3,500 genetic faults - Telegraph
A team has been able to predict the whole genetic code of a foetus by taking a blood sample from a woman who was 18 weeks pregnant, and a swab of saliva from the father.
They believe that, in time, the test will become widely available, enabling doctors to screen unborn babies for some 3,500 genetic disorders.
This breakthrough opens up all kinds of ethical consideration. Knowing the problem before the child is born can lead to prenatal and newborn treatments. On the other hand, knowing the child will be born with serious birth defects or a high probability of a number of fatal diseases could lead to more abortions. Just having the test could be a hard decision for many. This will surely raise both political and legal questions.
At the moment the only genetic disorder routinely tested for is Downs syndrome. However, simple tests for other genetic disorders are just around the corner.
Unborn babies could be tested for 3,500 genetic faults - Telegraph