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Will Genetic Screening Help Your Baby?

For every parent who has suffered the syndrome being two that are NOT inherited
anxiety of wondering if their unborn gene disorders) the facts still remain
child would be healthy, there are that screening during pregnancy has its
comparatively few who come face to face pros and cons.
with the agonizing discovery that their While genetic screening may prepare a
unborn or newborn child will struggle or family for the risk of disease and
die because of a genetic disorder. provide time for genetic counseling for
What is a genetic disorder and what part the parents, usually there is nothing
does genetic screening play in helping that can be done for the baby during the
families to deal with the risk or reality pregnancy.
in their children? The fact that most tests cannot guarantee
Recessive genetic disorders are when both the health of the child and that false
parents carry a diseased gene but do not positive tests may lead to undue anxiety
suffer from the disease themselves. They and possibly to the termination of a
are called 'carriers'. Their children healthy pregnancy are also dangers that
must inherit the diseased gene from BOTH must be acknowledged. Some tests, such as
parents to develop the disorder. the amniocentesis, also carry a risk
If the child inherits only one gene they themselves (although a small one).
will also become carriers, but not suffer Parents should discuss this with their
from the disease. It is also possible health care provider.
that they will not inherit the gene at More recently it is the possibility that
all. In each case, the likelihood of genetic testing may lead to more advanced
having a child develop the disorder goes measures of choosing the 'right' baby
up with each pregnancy. It is simply a that has caused a stir. Each parent must
matter of chance. weigh the risks and benefits of these
Genetic Screening of Parents tests.
Screening a couple BEFORE pregnancy can Genetic Screening of Newborns
identify the risks for potential Genetic screening of newborns has become
recessive disease where both parents standard practice in countries like the
carry the same recessive gene. Once a US and Canada.
gene (such as Tay-Sachs) is found in both By taking a small sample of blood from a
individuals, the couple can be informed pin prick in the newborn's heel, the
on the risks of passing the gene on and sample is then analyzed for genetic
the likelihood of their children disorders. Some of these disorders, when
developing the disorder. caught early on can be treated (such as
Having this knowledge not only prepares sickle cell anemia) and some even
couples for the possible outcome in a eliminated. This precaution has saved
pregnancy but also permits them to decide many children a lifetime of suffering
whether getting pregnant is worth the from a debilitating disease.
risk. The advancement of science continues to
Genetic Screening During Pregnancy amaze and alarm us with what is possible.
Genetic screening during pregnancy is While many individuals will benefit from
subject to the most controversy. While the assistance of screening the
the testing is not done entirely for controversy regarding how far science
genetic disorders (spina bifida and Downs should intrude is sure to continue.




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