Speciality: Biochemistry Biomedical Scientist
Location: Beds and Herts
Duration: Temporary
Speciality: Haematology and BT Biomedical Scientist
Location: East Of England
Duration: Temporary
Speciality: Histology
Location: South East Coast
Duration: Temporary
Speciality: Haematology and BT Biomedical Scientist
Location: London
Duration: Temporary
The UK government has given its approval to a new blood test designed to detect evidence of Down's Syndrome in unborn babies in a safer and more accurate way than previous methods.
In the past, doctors have tested for the condition by performing ultrasound scans, or by conducting amniocentesis, a procedure that involves puncturing the protective amniotic fluid surrounding a foetus. This carries a one in 100 chance of the woman suffering a miscarriage due to its invasive nature.
However, a new non-invasive prenatal test has now been developed that involves a simple blood test that poses no harm to an expectant mother or her unborn child, but can show evidence of biomarkers related to Down's Syndrome.
Doctors believe that the new tests would reduce the number of amniocentesis procedures needed by around 6,000 every year, in turn decreasing the number of miscarriages caused by the invasive tests each year from 46 to just three.
The government's decision has attracted some controversy, as there are concerns that it is trying to erase Down's Syndrome from society altogether. Despite this, doctors are confident that the non-invasive prenatal tests will help to significantly reduce amniocentesis-related miscarriages, as well as parents' worries.
Addressing the concerns, Dr Anne Mackie of the UK National Screening Committee stated: "We will closely manage the rollout of non-invasive prenatal testing to give us a better understanding of the impact it has on the decisions women and their partners make following their test results.
"Key to ensuring we get this right is the work we are doing with patient groups, scientists and clinicians, to help us develop balanced informative resources for the public and health professionals."
In the meantime, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics is currently in the process of examining the ethical issues surrounding the new tests, with its findings set to be published early next year.
The new blood tests are expected to be in use across the NHS by 2018.
Written by Martin Lambert
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