What You Need to Know About the Hidden Benefits (and Costs) of New Prenatal Tests
At first blush, the news that scientists can diagnose thousands of genetic disorders in an unborn human baby looks incredible.
Using a blood sample from the mother and saliva from the father, scientists at the University of Washington mapped out the entire genome of a child while he was in the womb. The discovery, which was published June 6 in Science Translational Medicine, makes it possible to spot disorders from sickle cell disease to cystic fibrosis to Down syndrome in the second trimester of pregnancy.
Best of all, at least for those of us who shiver at the thought of an amniocentesis, is that it's noninvasive.
About 10 percent of the free-floating DNA in a mother's blood belongs to her baby, and by comparing her blood with her own and the father's DNA, scientists can pinpoint which DNA belongs to the baby. From there, they can sequence the child's entire DNA code.
Or at least, they can get pretty close. Their accuracy rate was about 98 percent in the infant boy they tested.
And I find myself wishing this test had been around when I was having my kids. How great would it be to know for sure that your baby is okay? You could breathe more easily, knowing that your infant would be born whole and healthy.
And if he's not, well, then at least you know. You can be emotionally prepared for his birth. You could choose a C-section if that was warranted, or line up services for him, or join a support group.
Or abort him.
That's the rub, said Gene Rudd, president of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations.
It's hard to imagine this test wouldn't be the instigation of selective abortions, since many women with prenatal diagnoses of Down syndrome currently abort, he said.
"It's search and destroy that we do that now with Downs," he said. "And to what benefit do we do that? If we look at the statistics or surveys that come from families that have raised a Downs individual, 97 percent said it was rewarding."
It's a life worth living, and many see that, says Amy Julia Becker, who has written extensively about her daughter with Down syndrome. Heart conditions and respiratory troubles often suffered by those with Down syndrome can be treated, life expectancy has risen from 25 to 60, and by all accounts, raising a son or daughter with Down syndrome can be a wonderful gift. The numbers are tricky, but Becker says that about 70 percent of babies prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted.
Becker even declined extensive prenatal testing in subsequent pregnancies despite an elevated risk of the syndrome, saying she would welcome another child with Down syndrome.
Auditing America's Political Integrity
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E B
My Catholic mother gave birth to a very disabled child. We all love him, but the consequences of his birth are nontrivial. The other children have experienced severe resource scarcity due to the enormous financial burdens that accompany a disabled child. One sister is missing several teeth due to lack of money for dental care. One brother had to stop going to behavioral therapy. We all have crooked teeth and untreated medical issues. One sibling nearly died of untreated thyroid disease. Another older sister feels compelled to live at home and never have her own life because my mom, who is now in her 60s, physically can't handle my disabled brother. He is an enormous emotional, physical, and financial burden. Knowing the reality as I do, I would never shame, guilt, or otherwise coerce a family into raising a disabled child if they did not want to. If any of you would judge a family for aborting such a fetus -- you can put your money where your mouth is and send a check to my family.
Miles
Touche. Solid arguments. Keep up the good spirit.
swagelok
What a material of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable know-how concerning unpredicted emotions.
Valarie
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Boyd
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CONNIE SILVER
Just listened to Gianna Jessen on Youtube and what a speaker she is! As a survivor of an abortion, her story is so fantastic and convincing. Well worth viewing!
What is God's heart?
In thinking about it, I spoke hastily that "selecting babies is a doctrine of demons". I think there's a lot of demonic-inspired thinking surrounding abortions but I can't say that statement totally is. Pls forgive my loose tongue!
Ann
Amen to above post - to "What is God's heart?" To add to that many doctors will push for you to abort and say that is the only option - which is a lie and makes the decision of the mother so much torn and harder. There is no godly advice from them.
What is God's heart?
I have a dear friend who is due in about 3 weeks to give birth to a child that she has been told would die at birth for the last 6 months. I can't tell you what a fight in prayer and surrender this has been for them - and this for a dedicated Christian couple. They were also given the idea - supported by "pro-life" OB's - to induce the baby up to 3 months early - essentially an early death sentence but not technically "abortion". I can only imagine how those in and outside the church unaware of Jesus' heart for children and the broken respond - with routine abortions. and this Satan's attack on a child who is already supposed to die early! Selecting children I believe is a doctrine of demons. Perhaps testing isn't "wrong" but I disagree that you can emotionally prepare for what God has. For every promise of God is YES in Christ - 2nd Cor 1:20. Fear, doubt, insecurity, all of which is NOT in its proper time. As mentioned in the article, parents and doctors are completely powerless to do anything for the unborn children except end its life - not an option in God's eyes. And they do offer it - a lot. Every visit, which for these high-risk moms can be every week. I would recommend moms who are committed to life to be very careful what information they find out and who they work with - most OB's even if not performing "elective" abortion will "terminate" unhealthy pregnancies (my doula in TN with 500+ births could not name one OB who wouldn't) and especially perinatologists who work with high-risk pregnancies. God has always offered this choice to man - the Tree of Knowledge vs the Tree of LIfe. We are still susceptible to death when we go the route of knowledge outside of God's revelation. We are believing the Lord is going to give and extend divine life to my friend's son because it is HE who holds the keys to life and death and He loves to show Himself mighty against those who prophesy death to His people. Pls join in prayer with us.
Just Karen
@Ann From one standpoint or another, just about everyone is a burden on society. For most people, it's very difficult to see things "from the other point of view", and ever harder to see how their long-term decisions have effects on those around them.
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