Trisomy-diagnosis: Simple Test, difficult debate

A blood test can verify with high probability whether an unborn child suffers from trisomy. In the future, he could be Fund performance - but it raises questions of principle. Today, the Bundestag discussed.

Ingrid Bertram, WDR

In the Bundestag can be very emotional: Many fear that the Tests, more children with Down syndrome are aborted. Since the Test can determine at a relatively early stage in the pregnancy, the likelihood of a trisomy, could decrease the threshold for an abortion, so the criticism.

On the other hand, the costs of the main body of the health care system - the Federal Joint Committee - already in place and Use of the Tests examined. The signs are on the green light for the reimbursement of costs. The main Argument: social justice for the parents, so far, the Test could not.

On the Initiative of the Federal Joint Committee, the members have a first orientation debate at all without a group, at the end nothing is decided. And it will also go to the question, what is the position of the disabled and Sick in our society. Because the blood test for the beginning of a medical innovation: a further Test to come on the market, the chromosomes, but the lines for the "monogenic disorders" - i.e., rare genetic diseases are being identified, such as hereditary heart defects, cancer, diseases, or Visual and hearing impairment.

What trisomy is?
10.04.2019, Birgit Tofall, ARD-Aktuell

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