Unborn babies could be tested for 3,500 genetic faults

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9315265/Unborn-babies-could-be-tested-for-3500-genetic-faults.html

Quote :

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.

At the moment the only genetic disorder routinely tested for on the NHS is Down’s syndrome.

This is a large-scale genetic defect caused by having an extra copy of a bundle of DNA, called a chromosome.

Other such faults are sometimes tested for, but usually only when there is a risk of inheriting them from a parent.

Control wrote:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9315265/Unborn-babies-could-be-tested-for-3500-genetic-faults.html

Quote :

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.

At the moment the only genetic disorder routinely tested for on the NHS is Down’s syndrome.

This is a large-scale genetic defect caused by having an extra copy of a bundle of DNA, called a chromosome.

Other such faults are sometimes tested for, but usually only when there is a risk of inheriting them from a parent.

When I read articles similar to this I can't help but wonder how a gay or lesbian person could not be pro-life on this issue. If homosexuality is genetic, at some point doctors will be able to test for the genetic marker, inform the parent of the fetus' sexuality, and give a couple the option to abort or not. That is, unless some pro-choice lawmakers pass legislation banning abortion based on sexual orientation, which would seem ironic to me, as that is a very non pro-choice position to take. Already legislation is being considered in some states to ban abortion based on the gender of the child (for which, apparently, Planned Parenthood has no problem with).

People shouldn't play God!

I've seen enough horror movies to see what happens when people played God!

p.s.

I don't believe in God.

I'm an Atheist!

GATTACA meets reality.

j7wild wrote:

People shouldn't play God!

I've seen enough horror movies to see what happens when people played God!

p.s.

I don't believe in God.

I'm an Atheist!

and a true wordsmith

j7wild wrote:

People shouldn't play God!

I've seen enough horror movies to see what happens when people played God!

p.s.

I don't believe in God.

I'm an Atheist!

I'm sure you've helped many people lose their faith.