Here in my hometown, it's Derby week. With the greatest two minutes in sports upon us, it naturally has me thinking about odds. Indeed, prenatal testing for Down syndrome has that same focus. So, what are the odds that you are having a child with Down syndrome? Not only is this answer important, but it will surprise many. Continue Reading
April 30, 2013
What is the real worry about the newest prenatal testing for Down syndrome?
I've been reviewing the recent Wall Street Journal report by Christopher Weaver on the new prenatal testing for Down syndrome. Weaver reports on questions raised by the new testing. The accompanying video to the report (available above) distills the worry down to a few simple statements. But are these statements the real worry with the new prenatal testing for Down syndrome? Continue Reading
April 29, 2013
What price to do prenatal testing right?
The recent Wall Street Journal report by Christopher Weaver on Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) included a number that suggests how much money is in the NIPS market. But what else should that money be going towards? Continue Reading
April 23, 2013
Non-NIPS tests for Down syndrome are “tarot cards”
Continuing the examination of Christopher Weaver's recent report on NIPS in the Wall Street Journal, one quote jumped off the page when I read it. Did you know that screening tests that are not NIPS are as helpful as "tarot cards"? Continue Reading
April 17, 2013
One of the most compassionate missions in the United States
Did you know that there is a national registry of families wanting to adopt a child with Down syndrome? The registry is maintained by the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network (NDSAN), which has one of the most compassionate missions in the United States. Continue Reading
April 10, 2013
The ACMG steps out from the crowd with NIPS policy statement
Along with the ISPD, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) issued its own policy statement on the newest form of prenatal testing for Down syndrome. The ACMG statement says some of the same things as the other professional medical organization positions, but it sets itself apart on several key points. Continue Reading
April 9, 2013
The ISPD has a serious concern about new prenatal testing for Down syndrome
The International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis (ISPD) issued a policy statement that sets forth its position on prenatal testing for Down syndrome. The policy statement was prompted by the new prenatal testing for Down syndrome called Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS), where a mother's risk assessment is recalculated based on testing cell free DNA in her blood stream. ISPD has a "serious concern" about NIPS. Read on to find out why. Continue Reading
March 29, 2013
News coverage of the Down Syndrome Information Act
World Down Syndrome Day was bookended by two pieces of legislation. The week after 3/21, North Dakota enacted its law banning Down syndrome-selective abortion, which I wrote about at this post. The week before 3/21, Kentucky passed the Down Syndrome Information Act, requiring written materials and referral to parent support organizations with every Down syndrome diagnosis, prenatal or postnatal, which I wrote about here. In a recent column in TIME magazine, the two laws were discussed. Continue Reading
March 19, 2013
WDSD & The Down Syndrome Information Act on TV
WDRB 41 Louisville - News, Weather, Sports Community Thursday is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). March 21st was chosen as the numerical date, 3/21, reflects the genetic cause of Down syndrome, a triplicate of the 21st Chromosome. Today, a local news affiliate featured my local organization in preparation for WDSD. Watch the video to see self-advocate Chris getting ready to make our host breakfast and your blog's author interviewed about the recently-passed Down Syndrome Information Continue Reading
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