Too Much Information? Noninvasive Genetic Tests for the Unborn
April 13, 2011
Today expectant parents concerned about the diseases that could afflict their unborn children don’t have a lot of options. Blood tests can determine whether parents carry mutations for such genetic diseases as cystic fibrosis and Tay-Sachs, but they can’t determine whether the baby will inherit them. And although fetuses can be tested for Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities using amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, about 1 percent of procedures cause miscarriage, so many moms opt out.  (Scientific American)
