Charity Down Syndrome Education International has claimed that tests to check unborn babies for the presence of the syndrome were damaging too many babies.
For every 660 detections of the condition, the tests result in 400 miscarriages of healthy babies, the latest data revealed. "Around two babies without Down's syndrome are being lost in the process of preventing the birth of three with Down's," said Down Syndrome Education International chief Frank Buckley.
Genetic Testing of Diseases
Genetic testing helps to confirm a genetic condition in an individual and involves q complex laboratory techniques
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The charity has called on the government to reassess offering screening for pregnant women.
"The screening is to offer woman information so they can make informed decisions," the Department of Health stressed. "To ensure that screening is both effective and safe for all women, a quality assurance system has been set up."
Source: Medindia
RAS/SK
Source: Medindia
RAS/SK
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 Amniocentesis - AnimationAmniocentesis is a procedure done after 15th week of pregnancy to obtain samples of the amniotic fluid to test for genetic disorders. A simple animation depicting the procedure. | Advertisement
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