Prenatal test for DS among year’s top science stories
December 27th, 2008
Reports of a first-trimester blood test that could accurately diagnose Down syndrome in utero have made the lists of the top science stories of the year, as compiled by ABC News and Fox News.
ABC’s story centered on the SEQure DX test, developed by the San Diego-based company Sequenom. The company is reporting accurate results when the test is administered in the twelfth or thirteenth week of pregnancy, and its stock has risen dramatically since the first test results were reported last spring. Television personality Jim Cramer recently recommended shares of the company’s stock, calling it a potential takeover target.
The Fox News story focused on a test developed by researchers in Hong Kong.
If proven successful, either test could revolutionize prenatal diagnostics for Down syndrome, allowing pregnant women to determine accurately whether their fetus has Down syndrome with substantially less risk than is possible with present test methods.
UPDATE: It’s also included in Time Magazine’s list of ‘Top 10 Medical Breakthroughs’ for the year.
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January 29th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I agree with you 110%. My son is two and is the best person in my life. I have found Gods purpose for me in him. Its sad some people will never get to enjoy their child with DS until they get to heaven and see what a beautiful person they decided to kill. It makes me so angry! ok im gonna stop here. You are a very blessed man.
December 27th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Recently I read an article about how scientists are going to use an outer space satellite to monitor the kangaroo rat which is an endangered species. The article states: “It allows us to more quickly recognize whether populations are declining where we want them to exist. “If they go below a threshold, that is when we would consider intervening.”
I have a beautiful 5-year-old daughter Chloe who has Down Syndrome, and she has brought immeasurable good and light into the world. Because of the refining and increase in prenatal testing, children with Down Syndrome are also an endangered species with a 90%+ abortion rate once identified in the womb.
Chloe’s unique human species could very well become extinct in another generation if attitudes are not changed. At age 5, Chloe has positively impacted more people than most individuals do in a lifetime. Chloe’s picture has been on the big screen in Times Square as part of the National Down Syndrome Society awareness video, and she has been written about in several papers. Chloe met Governor Palin and Senator McCain twice during the campaign and my official name has become “Chloe’s Dad”. Chloe attends her neighborhood elementary school, and her teachers frequently comment that the kids are drawn to her.
There are many challenges and valleys to navigate when blessed with a child with a disability, but the rewards are priceless when you are able to disconnect from this frenzied world and see the glimpse of Heaven these children offer. I have become so upset by the movement to abort children with Down Syndrome that I started a site http://sadsin.blogspot.com/ to educate people about this eugenic movement. Instead of the kangaroo rat I wish we could monitor children with Down Syndrome from outer space because they truly are a priceless gift from God who remind us in this self-centered world that serving others is much more rewarding than serving ourselves.