Gene test to be offered to couples planning children

 » By maddona | the 02-08-2010 at 09:58 | 30 views (16 unique) | 2 comments | Report post!

The saliva test, involving samples taken from each prospective parent, would discover if either was carrying a genetic mutation which could lead to cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy or sickle cell anaemia. Couples will be able to pay £700 for the test at the Bridge Fertility Clinic in London. The clinic says it will only offer the screening alongside counselling, but the US company which developed the test plans to sell it online without medical advice, according to The Times.

The screening has prompted criticism in some quarters by medical professionals who argue it plays on parents' fears and is verging on "eugenics". If the results show both parents carry recessive genes which could lead to a disease, parents could choose to have IVF and then screen their embryos to ensure healthy ones are implanted in the womb. They could also opt for genetic testing during pregnancy, sperm donation or adoption to prevent giving birth to a child with a genetic condition.


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chopstick
chopstick
the 02-08-2010 at 17:38
700 is a lot for this test -can people afford it??
Nothing2Say
Nothing2Say
the 02-08-2010 at 10:06
I suppose its good to reduce the risks, but you can't help feel that there is a lot of profiteering going on here.

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