Episode 517
Non-invasive prenatal DNA screening
Sascha Drewlo reckons that a simple cervical smear could replace current prenatal tests.
Naked Scientists, In Short Special Editions Podcast · The Naked Scientists
November 7, 20165m 50s
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Show Notes
Conditions like Down's Syndrome, which are caused by babies carrying the wrong numbers of chromosomes in their cells, affect about one pregnancy in every 500. There are also many other inherited disorders that run in families but can't be diagnosed without a sample of the developing baby's DNA to test. But obtaining that DNA is risky; pregnant women have to undergo tests like an amniocentesis, where a needle is used to obtain cells from around the baby. When doctors do this, there can be up to a one per cent risk that the woman will have a miscarriage. These tests also cannot be performed... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Topics
pregnancyprenatal screeningDNAcervical smearbaby