Further to one of our  recent post made here in relation to news of the non-invasive prenatal screening test under development by Sequenom inthe US, we are posting a copy of a position  statement issued by the NDSS (National Down Syndrome Society). We note that the Sequenom share price continues to rise with latest reports of a 67.7% increase since announcement of their clinical screening tests. We will continue to report developments.

Point 1 does not have relevance to Ireland but we would add that the recommended  level of  support suggested in Point 2 of the NDSS statement should also be offered to those who do elect to avail of prenatal screening in this country.

NDSS Position Statement: Sequenom Prenatal Test

The National Down Syndrome Society welcomes the new prenatal test being developed by Sequenom, that may provide improved safety and more accurate results for women who choose to undergo prenatal testing.

However, when it comes to explaining the results of prenatal testing for Down syndrome, nearly 25% of physicians admit to emphasizing negative information or actively urging parents to terminate their pregnancies (1). As such, the NDSS urges policymakers, health care professionals, and the Down syndrome community to work together to ensure that expectant parents are not pressured to terminate a pregnancy after receiving a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.

Further, research has shown that mothers who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome are often given an inaccurate, incomplete, and sometimes offensive description of Down syndrome from their medical providers (2). The NDSS continues to partner with health care professionals to ensure that the wide-spread proliferation of balanced, accurate and up-to-date information about Down syndrome is provided to expectant parents at the time of diagnosis.

(1) "Wertz DC. Drawing lines: notes for policymakers. In Parens E, Asch A, editors. Prenatal testing and disability rights. Washington, DC: Gerogetown University Press; 2000, p. 261-287"

(2) "Skotko, B (2005). Prenatally diagnosed Down syndrome: Mothers who continued their pregnancies evaluate their health care providers. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 192: 670-7."