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Article: Genetic screening - fetal signposts on a journey of discovery. (includes related articles on treating the fetus and child, and prenatal peeks)
- Article from:
- FDA Consumer
- Article date:
- December 1, 1990
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1990 U.S. Government Printing Office. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Genetic Screening--Fetal Signposts On a Journey of Discovery
A worldwide effort to understand all our genes is well under way. Along this journey of discovery, tests are being developed to identify both healthy people who can pass a genetic disorder to a child (carriers) as well as those, including fetuses, who will actually develop symptoms.
In the past few years, scientists have identified the genes responsible for several major disorders, including cystic fibrosis, Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, and a few inherited cancers. Applying this new and complex information to the practice of medicine will require education of health professionals, patients, and ...