It's a difficult decision for many expecting parents, to test ,or not to test for genetic defects. Now a new procedure hopes to make that decision a little easier. A few tablespoons of blood from the mother is all some Stanford University researchers say they need to test for Down Syndrome. An Amniocentesis is typically done in that case doctors use a needle to draw fluid from the placenta which increases the changes of a miscarriage. Researcher now say they're confident they've eliminated that risk.
Dr. Stephen Quakes of Standford University says, "There has been a decade-long search for a non-invasive test for Down syndrome, and I think we've taught the world how to do it now." Further studies still have to be done, researchers are hoping this new test will be available for expectant mothers in a few years.