Prenatal Genetic Screening
the pros and cons
What is Prenatal Gentic Screening?
Pros of Prenatal Genetic Screening
Approximately 85 out of every 100 babies affected by the abnormalities addressed by the screen will be identified.
Approximately 5% of all normal pregnancies will receive a positive result or an abnormal level.
A positive test means you have a 1/100 to 1/300 chance of experiencing one of the abnormalities.
Pursue potential interventions that may exist (fetal surgery for spina bifida)
Begin planning for a child with special needs
Start addressing anticipated lifestyle changes
Identify support groups and resources
Make a decision about carrying the child to term
Cons of Prenatal Genetic Screening
Whether or not a woman decides to undergo genetic screening is her own choice, as positive results could produce anxiety and conflicting emotions. Those against genetic testing feel that the biggest disadvantage of prenatal testing is the tremendous psychological pressure imposed on the parents. They are in a constant anxiety about the possible results. They tend to get confused about the condition as in the case where a baby is known to carry a mutation, but sometimes the parents may not realize that this does not mean that the baby will contract the genetic disorder too. This point also questions the accuracy of the results. Prenatal testing is very expensive and thereby cannot be attempted by people with meager means. Further only a handful of insurance companies are ready to cover the expenses of these tests. This leaves couples with limited or no choice at all.