New test for defects in unborn children
Hong Kong scientists report that they may have discovered an easier way to test for foetal birth defects. In an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Professor Dennis Lo says that he has been able to identify traces of foetal DNA in the mother’s blood. This will make it very easy to assess the health of a child without risking a miscarriage with amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. At the moment, the technique is quite laborious, but new technology should simplify it.
This development could pose some ethical conundrums. If it becomes widely available, it will certainly be used to detect and abort more children with birth defects. It could also be used for sex selection. Parents could also obtain a genetic profile of their baby and see whether it will be susceptible to a genetic disease at some stage in its life.
- 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
More Stories
After 49 years, SCOTUS strikes down Roe v Wade, abolishing a constitutional right to abortion
The US Supreme Court has struck down two of the most famous decisions in American history, Roe v. Wade and...
Fallen stem cell hero convicted in Swedish court
Once hailed as a stem cell technology pioneer, Italian surgeon Paolo Macchiarini has been convicted of causing bodily harm and...
Hollywood actress explains why she chose surrogacy: ‘I was terrified’
Hollywood starlet Jamie Chung, 39, surprised her fans last year when she and her husband announced the birth of twins....
First legal assisted suicide in Italy
Italy’s parliament is still debating the details of legal assisted suicide. However, last Thursday the first Italian to take advantage...
Re-examining autonomy
The buzzword cutting through the noisy controversy over the US Supreme Court’s repeal of Roe v. Wade is “reproductive autonomy”....
World swimming authority takes conservative stand on gender inclusion
Swimming's world governing body, FINA, has backed a new policy on gender inclusion which will stop most trans women swimmers...