Yesterday, the Governor of North Dakota signed House Bill 1305, prohibiting sex-selective abortion and abortion for genetic abnormality. That same day, the Governor also signed a law banning abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected. As a result, with abortion being invoked, the media reporting and instant comments devolved into pro-life/pro-choice arguments. But let's look at the actual language of the law that concerns Down syndrome abortions and see what it actually says before we choose Continue Reading
March 26, 2013
When cell free fetal DNA isn’t
For years, I’ve been presenting at conferences on prenatal testing for Down syndrome, explaining how the new tests are based on cell free fetal DNA or “cffDNA.” Turns out I was wrong. Here’s why. Continue Reading
March 25, 2013
Why is there prenatal testing for Down syndrome?
At my very first national medical conference, I received an answer to the question: why is there prenatal testing for Down syndrome? I have shared the response I received in many presentations. At last week’s ACMG conference, I learned of another reason. It struck me as profound. I wonder what you think about it. Continue Reading
March 12, 2013
So many choices: what does each do & how much do they cost?
Next week, I travel to Phoenix to give a poster presentation at the 2013 Annual Meeting for the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG). I receive a daily invitations in my inbox to visit the booth for one of the manufacturers for the new Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT). But what does each test test for, and how much do they cost? Continue Reading
March 11, 2013
Paradoxical Genes
I had reason to refer to a column of mine, published a few years ago, called "My Daughter's Paradoxical Genes." It addresses the paradox of the ACOG recommendation that all women be offered prenatal testing for Down syndrome, but a separate ACOG ethics committee condemns the use of prenatal testing for sex selective abortion. The column remains one of my favorites, and the paradox still has yet to be explained by ACOG. You can read the full article at this link. Continue Reading
March 7, 2013
How to deliver a Down syndrome diagnosis?
With the advances in prenatal testing and guidelines recommending prenatal testing be offered to all expectant mothers, more Down syndrome diagnoses are being delivered than ever before. But how should a Down syndrome diagnosis be delivered? Fortunately, there is a very helpful resource that is also a professional guideline by those who should know best. Continue Reading
March 1, 2013
Lower termination rate = higher terminations?
Today, at a column at Amy Julia Becker's blog, I explain how the math works out to explain the headline and the graphic for this post. I hope you will visit her blog and my column at this link. Continue Reading
February 27, 2013
The need for care and support
This past weekend was the Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action conference. Consistent with past years, the schedule featured sharing sessions and breakouts on best practices for medical outreach and new and expectant parent support. With the advances being made in prenatal testing and research showing that the need for care and support is a key factor for expectant mothers making a decision following a prenatal diagnosis, this information is needed now more than ever. Continue Reading
Comments due on UK inquiry into abortion for disability
The United Kingdom's Parliament is re-examining the Abortion Act of 1967, specifically Ground E which permits abortion at any time on the basis of disability. Comments are due tomorrow, March 6, 2013, by 12 pm, EST. Read on for the link and how to receive a template for your comment. Continue Reading