How can Prenatal DNA Sequencing help humans?
Before learning about what this technology can do for us, let us first know what Prenatal DNA sequencing is all about.
Prenatal DNA Sequencing is nothing but re-arranging the DNA in a fetus. The role of DNA is to carry forward the traits and biological information about the unborn child, from parents to the baby. Thus, Prenatal DNA sequencing refers to the required alterations in the DNA of the fetus, to modify the biological characteristics.
It can be a very helpful method to evade disease much before the child is born, and will also be a supporting pillar for those who opt for an abortion, instead of having a medically challenged child.
At the moment, a prenatal diagnosis requires the doctors to insert a needle inside the mother’s womb, to capture a fragment of the placental tissue. The operation has a reported failure of 1%, resulting in miscarriages.
Dennis Lo, Chinese University, Hong Kong, found out that there’s enough DNA floating inside the pregnant woman’s body that it is actually achievable to rebuild the entire genome, meanwhile making it possible to test the child (fetus) for any diseases, without those tedious, painful and risky procedures.
Thus, Prenatal DNA sequencing will not only save people from having a handicap-able or diseased life, but also will result in lesser cases of abortions.
As of now, the available technology is not fully capable to materialize this dream yet, but it’s definitely in the near future.
“The biggest advantage is that you are saving all those babies that would be lost” Dennis Lo.
How can Prenatal DNA Sequencing help humans?
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