Printed from: https://archive.cmf.org.uk/advocacy/submissions/?id=184
Published: 29th October 2015
CMF has responded to the UK National Screening Committee Consultation. Information about the consultation can be found here.
The UK National Screening Committee is currently consulting on a new screening technology, cfDNA testing, otherwise known as non-invasive prenatal testing, which aims to support and improve the existing screening pathway. The new test analyses fragments of fetal DNA circulating in the mother's blood and can detect if the mother is carrying a child with Down Syndrome (or other trisomies - Edward's or Patau Syndromes). By offering cfDNA testing to women who are identified through initial screening as having a risk of 1 in 150 or more, women have the opportunity of a non-invasive and more accurate test. The number of unnecessary invasive tests (amniocentesis and chorionic villous sampling) would be greatly reduced with a consequent fall in the number of inadvertent miscarriages that accompany those invasive procedures. But the overall rate of Down's detection would increase such that the number of abortions under Ground E of the Abortion Act (serious handicap) would rise significantly.
This submission outlines our grave reservations about this move which are further explained in this blog.
Steven Fouch (CMF Head of Communications) 020 7234 9668
Alistair Thompson on 07970 162 225
Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) was founded in 1949 and is an interdenominational organisation with over 5,000 doctors, 900medical and nursing students and 300 nurses and midwives as members in all branches of medicine, nursing and midwifery. A registered charity, it is linked to over 100 similar bodies in other countries throughout the world.
CMF exists to unite Christian healthcare professionals to pursue the highest ethical standards in Christian and professional life and to increase faith in Christ and acceptance of his ethical teaching.
