It is now possible to administer a simple pre-natal blood test to identify Downs Syndrome. However, the ease of this test and the fact that, if the results were positive, it would almost always result in abortion poses some potential ethical dilemmas. This article discusses the debate in Germany this week. Should the test be available?

http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16080064 ... 5-xml-atom

I don't know that technology has provided a new ethical dilemna or not. Testing for Downs Syndrome using amniocentesis has been around for decades. Is there a study from that testing that supports the conclusion that almost all positive results terminate in an abortion?

This from Wikipedia would appear to support that rate of abortion:-

A 2002 literature review of elective abortion rates found that 91–93% of pregnancies in the United Kingdom and Europe with a diagnosis of Down syndrome were terminated.

Thanks for the info. It seems Sarah Palin bucked that trend when she didn't terminate the pregnancy for her youngest child. Apparently US rates are 92% termination which is in line with UK/Europe. But since a test already exists, I'm not sure there is any new found ethical dilemna.

The 92/93% abortion rate is skewed by the fact that people mostly only have the test if they intend, in the event of a positive result, to have an abortion. Amniocentesis has a small but not negligible morbidity - administering the test actually induces an abortion in a small proportion of cases and therefore the well-informed mother will only have the test if she needs it to make a decision, or settle a fear which is troubling her so gravely that she is willing to imperil her pregnancy. A mother who would not abort a child with Down's Syndrome will usually choose not to have the test, and the 92% abortion rate doesn't reflect the number of mothers who choose not to have the test.

I got the following from the APA website


http://www.americanpregnancy.org/prenat ... esis.html/

Follow the link for greater details

What does the amniocentesis test look for?

Amniocentesis detects chromosome abnormalities, neural tube defects and genetic disorders. Down syndrome or Trisomy 21 is the most common chromosome abnormality. Genetic disorders include disorders like cystic fibrosis. The most common neural tube defect is spina bifida.

Amniocentesis is occasionally used late in pregnancy to assess whether the baby's lungs are mature enough for the baby to breathe on his own.

Amniocentesis also provides access to DNA for paternity testing prior to delivery. DNA is collected from the potential father and is compared to DNA obtained from the baby during amniocentesis. The results are accurate (99%) for determining paternity.

What are the risks and side effects to the mother or baby?

Although amniocentesis is considered to be a safe procedure, it is recognized as an invasive diagnostic test that does pose potential risks. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is performed approximately 200,000 times a year.

Miscarriage is the primary risk related to amniocentesis. The risk of miscarriage ranges from 1 in 400 to 1 in 200. In facilities where amniocentesis is performed regularly, the rates are closer to 1 in 400. Miscarriages can occur because of infection in the uterus, the water breaks or labor is induced prematurely.

Although extremely rare, it is possible for the needle to come in contact with the baby. Great precautions are taken by using a sonogram to guide the needle away from the baby.

The mother may experience a sharp pain when the needle enters the skin and again when it enters the uterus. Following completion of the procedure, the mother may experience other side effects that include:
Cramping
Leakage of fluid
Minor irritation around the puncture site

I personaly wouldn't do the test.

It does come down to what would you do with the test and if you would want the child aborted on knowledge (s)he haveing Downs sindrome. I don't believe in abortion as a form of contraception, and believe that the life of a child is valid in this case if I didn't for what ever reason use contraception how ever the child comes out is how (s)he comes out.