Consensus: 5 years later @NSGC2014

At this year's National Society of Genetic Counselors annual conference, an impressive panel was assembled that shared the developments of a historic meeting. The lessons shared will need to be applied even more as prenatal testing progresses. Continue Reading

The 2014 NSGC AEC in NOLA

This week, I present for the first time at the National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Education Conference. And, that's not even the best thing. Continue Reading

Down syndrome screening no longer a recommended preventive service

Down syndrome screening is no longer listed as a recommended preventive care service by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. This renders many insurance policies outdated and may avoid instituting an explicitly eugenic policy under the Affordable Care Act. Continue Reading

New Down syndrome prenatal test not FDA-approved

The newest prenatal test for Down syndrome--non-invasive prenatal screening--is not FDA-approved. It's not because it doesn't have to be. But that may change. Continue Reading

Prenatal screening & probability results for Down syndrome

Odds are good that you don't understand your prenatal screening probability results for Down syndrome … and neither does your doctor. Continue Reading

Abortion keeps Down syndrome births stable

As nonsensical as that headline seems, it's what's happening: abortion is keeping the number of babies born with Down syndrome at their historical annual average. This is because we would otherwise be seeing twice as many children born with Down syndrome each year. Continue Reading

It’s official: Down syndrome is not suffering

Richard Dawkins' tweet on it being immoral not to abort a pregnancy positive for Down syndrome generated many responses. A point of consensus emerged: a life with Down syndrome does not increase suffering. If anything, it increases happiness.  Continue Reading

More women aborting & continuing Down syndrome pregnancies

More women than ever are aborting pregnancies positive for Down syndrome. And, at the same time, more women than ever are choosing to continue a pregnancy positive for Down syndrome.  Continue Reading

How many women have prenatal testing for Down syndrome?

A recent study calculated how many women in the United States have prenatal screening for Down syndrome. It's a growing number.  Continue Reading