More informed decisions = less prenatal testing

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association makes what for some is a surprising finding: when women know more about prenatal testing, fewer of them accept it. Continue Reading

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 This renders many insurance policies outdated and may avoid instituting an explicitly eugenic policy under the Affordable Care Act.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

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

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

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

An invitation to Richard Dawkins: come meet my daughter

Richard Dawkins, in his words, "let slip the dogs of Twitterwar" yesterday with a tweet about Down syndrome, abortion, and morality. That tweet and his response since, demonstrates he is profoundly ignorant about Down syndrome. So, Prof. Dawkins, you're invited to meet someone with Down syndrome to cure that ignorance. Continue Reading

Down syndrome prenatal testing should not be a public health prevention program

David A. Savitz, in an editorial commenting on the study showing Down syndrome is disappearing in Victoria, Australia, says prenatal testing should be used to eradicate Down syndrome due to widespread acceptance of selective abortion. He's not quite right. Continue Reading