Genetic screening

• Amniocentesis:

  • Invasive technique
  • Needle is inserted into amniotic fluid
  • Fetal cells are extracted from the amniotic fluid
  • 14-16 weeks of pregnancy
  • Lower chance of miscarriage - 1%
• Chronic villus sampling (CVS):

  • Invasive technique
  • Needle is inserted through the abdominal wall or vagina
  • Fetal cells are collected from the placental tissue
  • 8-12 weeks of pregnancy
  • Higher chance of miscarriage - 1-2%
• what's PGD

  • fertilisation outside body
  • tests embryo
  • before implanting into uterus
  • (whereas e.g. amniocentisis is after implantation)
• cons of PGD

  • if unfavourable -embryo is destroyed, some see it as ending human life)
  • one embryo chosen over another - loss of life
  • designer babies - parents choose traits, 'playing G'
• why would PGD not be taken?

  • false positive healthy fetus terminated
  • risk of miscarriage - mentally scaring