Follows results of Danish screening program
Australiaurgently needs a national screening policy for Down syndrome,experts say, after international research showed it could halve thenumber of babies born with the condition. Currently only women 35 orover or who have a history of chromosomal defects are offeredscreening tests. But Professor Euan Wallace, of Monash University,told the Sydney Morning Herald: “In Australia in 2008 everysingle woman should be offered and have access to state-of-the-artscreening tests irrespective of age.”

Thepush to eliminate even more Down syndrome children followed thepublication of a Danish study in the British Medical Journal. Thisshowed a national screening program for expectant mothers had halvedthe number of babies born with Down syndrome . The number of babiesdiagnosed with the syndrome before birth increased by 30% and therewere fewer false positives. ~ SydneyMorning Herald, Dec 7

Down syndrome

• Author
• Recent Posts

Michael Cook

Michael Cook edits BioEdge, a bioethics newsletter, and MercatorNet, an on-line magazine whose focus is human dignity. He writes from Sydney, Australia.

Latest posts by Michael Cook (see all)

• How long can you put off seeing the doctor because of lockdowns? - December 3, 2021
• House of Lords debates assisted suicide—again - October 28, 2021
• Spanish government tries to restrict conscientious objection - October 28, 2021