Will Genetic Screening Help Your Baby?

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