European scientists were able to diagnose Down Syndrome prenatally, before birth, by giving a blood test to pregnant women, an alternative way to detect the syndrome without the extensive procedures. Pregnant women get blood tests and ultrasounds to find out or the doctor takes some amniotic fluid or a sample of the placenta. These procedures sometimes end in miscarriage, which is the removal of a fetus from the womb before it is able to survive independently. People with Down Syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, carry three copies of chromosome 21, instead of two. The preliminary report published online is the latest of studies that suggest scientists can spot Down syndrome through fetal DNA particulates in the mother's bloodstream. There's no commercial test available yet, but companies are hoping to release one in about a year. Scientists in Greece, Cyprus, and England said that they correctly identified 14 Down syndrome cases and 26 normal fetuses, but need a larger study in order to confirm their results. Are scientists claiming this has no side effects or risk to the mother? How will informing the mother about their child having Down Syndrome affect the mother's perspective about her child and the way she would raise him/her?Citations:
- The Associated Press "Mom's blood test can reveal Down syndrome, study says" NY Daily News 6 March 2011.
