[tri-wings] Re: Non-Invasive Direct Testing

Hi Karen
 
Ive only seen the mainstream coverage of this item, so it will be interesting 
to read the full results.  They are reporting it on our news as only applicable 
to Down's Syndrome, but I wondered if it would be used for other things.  
 
Whats the script with the pre-natal testing in Oz?  Here's its a total lottery 
of where you live.  Where I live you get AFP tests and two scans, one detailed 
one at twenty weeks.  You can also get CVS if you know about it, but they don't 
offer it routinely.  About 40 miles north they only get AFPs and a dating scan. 
 However if you live forty miles East, they have a national screening centre so 
they get the new system where you have the nuchal fold scan and some blood 
tests, followed by a 20 week detailed scan / amnio.  
 
I recently went for an antenatal appointment with my young friend, where the 
LEAD consultant obstetrician described the AFP as follows:  "Well its in the 
leaflet. It tells you if the baby is disabled.  You have to have it.  Whats the 
problem, there's no risk".  IMMENSELY HELPFUL.  And totally inaccurate. 
 
They've been reporting on the news that in the UK, the risk of miscarriage from 
amnio was up to four times what doctors were routinely quoting parents.  I 
think they worked out 300 non-disabled babies were lost per year through amnios 
 . . . .they probably don't bother to count the ones that DID have a trisomy 
but were also lost through miscarriage.
 
Its hard to know whether this has the potential to be a positive thing or is 
just going to be another tool in the genetic engineering of humans, till we'll 
ALL perfect!
Demi > > In This Issue:> [tri-wings] Non-Invasive Direct Testing for Trisomy> 
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