Fertility preservation - the inequity of the law
Societal norms are changing. Men and women are choosing to delay having children for varied reasons including lack of an appropriate partner, career progression and a desire for financial security...
BioNews
Trisomy
The presence of an extra chromosome, resulting in a total of three chromosomes of a particular type instead of a pair - for example, trisomy 21, which causes Down syndrome.
33 articles
TV review: The Big Questions - Should we be striving to eliminate mistakes from the genome? (BBC One, Series 12, Episode 2)
This episode of 'The Big Questions' starts with just that: a big question. One with no easy answer — which usually signposts an interesting debate...
What does genome editing mean for Down's syndrome?
The recent Nuffield Council on Bioethics report 'Genome Editing and Human Reproduction: Social and Ethical Issues' has been both welcomed and criticised...
Preimplantation genetic screening: unvalidated methods discard healthy embryos
A seemingly brilliant hypothesis of preimplantation genetic screening arose in the 1990s when Dr Yuri Verlinsky proposed using polar body biopsies to detect chromosomal abnormalities in embryos prior to transfer in IVF...
Healthy embryos are discarded
Illumina wins NIPT patent case in UK High Court
The UK Patents Court has ruled that two separate non-invasive prenatal tests infringe patents licensed by the US firm Illumina...
New prenatal DNA test for Down's syndrome is more accurate and cheaper
A new prenatal screening method for Down's syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau syndromes is safer, more reliable and cheaper than existing approaches, a study has found...
Screen all chromosomes in prenatal embryo testing, says study
Current prenatal chromosome screening tests could miss rare chromosomal abnormalities and lead to inaccurate results...
Video Review: Prenatal Genetic Testing — Making an Informed Decision
When it comes to prenatal genetic testing and screening, informed consent is crucial. These seven videos from the US help patients to understand what's involved...
NIPT or not to NIPT — is that really the question?
A central tenet of prenatal testing is to promote reproductive autonomy by providing women with information that can assist in pregnancy management. Bringing NIPT into the NHS will improve an established screening programme...
Event Review: Genetic Screening and Respect for Persons
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is improving all the time, and the tests may soon be offered to all pregnant women on the NHS. This event explored how to ensure that prospective mothers are properly counselled to make informed decisions about their pregnancy...