May 20, 2013

Webinar on Prenatal Testing for Down syndrome

Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action (DSAIA) has made available the webinar I presented on Down syndrome prenatal testing. The webinar covers the basics of prenatal testing, the newest form of prenatal testing for Down syndrome, the professional society statements of the ACMG, ACOG, ISPD, and NSGC, and the statements’ comments on counseling about prenatal testing. […]

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Filed Under: A Life with Down syndrome, Informed Decision Making Tagged With: , , , , ,
May 20, 2013

Delivering a Down syndrome diagnosis: the importance of where over when

Two recent articles on how a Down syndrome diagnosis was delivered to parents made me remember an important point about delivering the diagnosis: the importance of where over when.

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Filed Under: Informed Decision Making Tagged With: , ,
May 16, 2013

Gosnell, after-birth abortion, and Down syndrome

Kermit Gosnell (AP Photo/Philadelphia Daily News, Yong Kim) Kermit Gosnell, a Philadelphia physician, was convicted this week for  first degree murder. A jury found him guilty of killing babies born alive after botched abortion procedures. There are academics who have cited prenatal testing and selective abortion for Down syndrome to argue that not only are […]

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Filed Under: Termination Tagged With: , , , ,
May 15, 2013

NSGC on Down syndrome prenatal testing: What’s essential (and what’s not)

Three other professional organizations have issued statements on the newest form of prenatal testing for Down syndrome. But, the National Society of Genetic Counselors make clear what is essential  information expectant mothers should receive.

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May 14, 2013

Didn’t you get tested? The normative effect of prenatal testing undermines reproductive freedom.

Medical organizations and bioethicists justify prenatal testing out of a respect for a woman’s autonomy, her ability to control her reproductive choices. But society’s view of prenatal testing can undermine that freedom. A recent Salon article adds to the evidence for this concern.

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May 13, 2013

Karen Gaffney, long-distance swimmer, advocate, receives doctorate of humane letters

I’ve written previously how medical professionals are instructed to be humble in predicting how Down syndrome may affect a life. Karen Gaffney’s accomplishments certainly demonstrate the wisdom of this instruction.

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Filed Under: A Life with Down syndrome Tagged With: , , ,
May 9, 2013

Free Webinar Next Tuesday: New Prenatal Testing Recommendations

Next Tuesday, May 14, 2013, Down Syndrome of Affiliates in Action (DSAIA) is hosting a webinar where I am the presenter. The webinar will cover the recent professional statements on prenatal testing for Down syndrome. If you are like me and gain a new level of understanding hearing information presented to you, then this webinar should […]

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Filed Under: Informed Decision Making, NIPT Tagged With: , , , ,
May 8, 2013

Really, you are not alone

Mother’s Day is this Sunday. Here’s a chance to provide a “lifeline” for expectant mothers. 

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May 7, 2013

Jason Collins comes out. Gay advocates want the world to know he still has a life worth living.

Last week, Jason Collins, an NBA player, came out as gay. Hopefully you find this post’s headline objectionable. But why didn’t the USA Today editors think so for the headline of their front-page story last week on prenatal testing for Down syndrome?

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Filed Under: NIPT, The Informed Consent Process Tagged With: , , , , ,