| 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.
|
