“Is that a man?”–HuffPostLive discusses prenatal testing for Down syndrome

Tuesday, HuffPostLive featured a discussion on prenatal testing for Down syndrome. You can watch the video at this link. Part of the discussion made me think of a very bizarre story from our past.  Continue Reading

Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening is not the Holy Grail, and it’s wrong to call it that–Part 2 of 2

In yesterday's post, I covered why it is factually wrong to call Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) the "Holy Grail" of prenatal testing. Here's why it is ethically wrong to call it that. Continue Reading

Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening is not the Holy Grail of Prenatal Testing, and it’s wrong to call it that

Last week, I asked if Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) is the "Holy Grail" of prenatal testing? Here's Part I of why it's not and Part II will cover why it's wrong to call it that. Continue Reading

Is Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening the “Holy Grail” of Prenatal Testing?

In her recent blog post at the Huffington Post, Dr. Anne Drapkin Lyerly, a doctor who chaired ACOG's ethics committee, says she has found the "Holy Grail" of prenatal testing in Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS). Is she correct? Continue Reading

Adam Wolfberg’s research says don’t offer new testing for Down syndrome to all moms

Actually, Adam Wolfberg recently said just the opposite. But, Wolfberg’s own research doesn’t support his recommendation.  Continue Reading

“Not exactly a great scientific achievement”: prenatal testing in low risk populations

Yesterday's post generated a lot of discussion on Facebook and off-line about the role of maternal age and the incidence of Down syndrome. Today, we consider the value of prenatal screening for Down syndrome in relation to the mother's age. Continue Reading

How accurate is the new blood test for Down syndrome?

When receiving a test result from the new blood test for Down syndrome that says "positive," do patients understand there may be a one-in-five chance of a false positive? Or even a one-in-two, depending on the mother's age? Even genetic counselors admit this is difficult to grasp. Continue Reading

Accuracy of Down syndrome blood test remains unknown

It is coming up on two years since Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) was introduced. The New England Journal of Medicine recently featured an article raising concern over how the new blood test for Down syndrome is being used. It cautions against the new test being used in the general population.  Continue Reading

It’s not about information; it’s about selling information

Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court ruled that genes cannot be patented. This may not stop competing NIPS labs from trying to enjoin their competitors. But, the ruling reveals a point that gets lost in the celebration of genomics. Continue Reading