The day when you can sequence your baby’s genome before it is born might not be too far away. Researchers have reconstructed the genome of a fetus without touching it. Instead, they used both parents’ genomes and free-floating fetal DNA, which circulates in the mother’s blood.
It may be at least five years before this type of test reaches the clinic and everyday use. By then, the price of the technology should have dropped. This current sequencing cost about $50,000 to perform.
The fact that it’s still a way off in the future is good considering the legal and ethical complications of parents having the ability to see every disease and trait their child will have before it is born. Learn more here or here.
August 19, 2012 at 4:55 pm |
Gattaca much?