Microarray vs. Karyotype: Detecting Fetal Abnormalities
Article
The chromosomal microarray was more efficient than karyotyping while trying to detect irregularities in the chromosomes that could eventually lead to genetic diseases. The microarray was able to detect the DiGeorge syndrome and genetic changes resulting in autism that the karyotype could not detect. Doctors are suggesting that this new way of detecting fetal abnormalities is better, but there are some defects that it is picking up that the doctors don't know about. Therefore, the suggest counseling for the parents pre and post testing to reveal the results and what they could potentially mean for their child. Microarrays will be the future of determining fetal abnormalities, but as with most good things comes a cost.
This article is enlightening to me because of the new abilities humans are acquiring to try to reproduce and bring offspring into the world that are as genetically normal as possible. Who knows how something of this power could be used...what if all embryos are detected with the genetic defects like autism or the gene linked to Huntington's was seen and all of the embryos were aborted and only genetically normal babies were brought into the world. There is an endless possibility with this new technology.
The chromosomal microarray was more efficient than karyotyping while trying to detect irregularities in the chromosomes that could eventually lead to genetic diseases. The microarray was able to detect the DiGeorge syndrome and genetic changes resulting in autism that the karyotype could not detect. Doctors are suggesting that this new way of detecting fetal abnormalities is better, but there are some defects that it is picking up that the doctors don't know about. Therefore, the suggest counseling for the parents pre and post testing to reveal the results and what they could potentially mean for their child. Microarrays will be the future of determining fetal abnormalities, but as with most good things comes a cost.
This article is enlightening to me because of the new abilities humans are acquiring to try to reproduce and bring offspring into the world that are as genetically normal as possible. Who knows how something of this power could be used...what if all embryos are detected with the genetic defects like autism or the gene linked to Huntington's was seen and all of the embryos were aborted and only genetically normal babies were brought into the world. There is an endless possibility with this new technology.
posted by Unknown at 3:43 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home