Hope for Safe Parental Gene Tests
by crmblogman.
Work by scientists could lead to a non-invasive blood test to detect genetic abnormalities such as Down's syndrome in the womb.
Current tests such as Ultrasound are limited and can only do so much and the invasive tests can be harmful to the pregnancy.
New techniques worked by checking DNA in women's blood for variations of sequence in the DNA material.
Researchers took blood samples from 60 pregnant women. They then searched the genetic material for variations known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). From this they could determine the DNA of mother and baby and also determine whether the foetus was carrying defects in its chromasones.
However, the researchers stressed their work is at a preliminary stage, and further trials were needed to fine-tune the technique.
Hope for Safe Parental Gene Tests
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