 |
|
|
|
|
June 7th, 2012
05:24 PM ET
Baby's DNA constructed before birthMom gave a blood sample. Dad spit. The entire genome of their fetus was born. Researchers at the University of Washington have, for the first time, done a near-total genome sequence of a fetus in this way. Scientists published the results of this study in the journal Science Translational Medicine, suggesting that thousands of genetic diseases could be detected in children while they are still in the fetal stage. Everyone has two copies of the human genome: One inherited from their biological mother and one from the biological father. With technology that's being used for genetic sequencing these days, it's not possible to say which variants on the chromosome you inherited from which parent. Scientists also sequenced the cell-free component of the mother's blood - called the plasma - where about 10% of the DNA circulating is from the child, and the other 90% is from the mother. That introduces some difficulty, since it's hard to tell exactly what comes from the child. Currently at least some component of diagnosis for genetic disorders in certain circumstances is done using technologies such as amniocentesis, which involves taking a sample of the fluid in the sac that surrounds the fetus in the womb - the mother has to have a needle inserted into her uterus, which is a lot more complicated than a simple blood test and carries some health risks. "This might reduce the need to do invasive testing for fetuses," said Jay Shendure, associate professor of genome sciences at the University of Washington. The focus of the study was the genome of a fetus whose mother's blood sample was taken at 18 weeks. The analysis of her blood, the father's saliva and the plasma contributed to a nearly full picture of the fetus's genome. This model showed that the fetus had 39 mutations that it had not inherited from either parent. To confirm, researchers looked at the baby's umbilical cord blood after it was born. In comparing the constructed DNA (from mom & dad's samples) and this cord sample, researchers found five additional mutations that hadn't come from the mother or the father. On the whole, the baby's artificially constructed genome using material from the parents was more than 98% accurate. Researchers repeated the procedure on a different couple. This time the mother was only eight weeks pregnant when she donated her sample, and the father submitted a blood sample, which was processed in the same way that the other father's saliva was. This resulted in a fetal genome sequence that was 92% accurate. "We could have brought it higher just by sequencing her plasma more deeply," said Jacob Kitzman, lead study author and graduate research fellow at the University of Washington. There are also parts of the genome that technology available today just cannot measure very well, Kitzman says, so that's partly why there's not a 100% accuracy here. Is gender selection of a fetus ethical? Eight weeks are, however, well before mothers are able to get amniocentesis, which is often used at around 16 weeks. It took more than a month to get the results from the sequencing, which is a lot longer than would be ideal in a clinical situation, Kitzman noted. In order to become more widespread, the technique would have to be easier to administer, quicker and less expensive. So how much does this cost? Right now, in the ballpark of $50,000, Shendure says - and while that seems like a lot, keep in mind that this whole process involved sequencing the genomes of the mother and the father, separately analyzing the plasma and then double-checking the result with a sequence from the child's umbilical cord. The price tag for sequencing has dropped by 10,000 fold in the last five years, Shendure says, so he expects this fetal genome technique will also become less expensive over time. In the long-term, the technique may even help garner new insights about genetic diseases, but more immediately it would be restricted to identifying the genetic disorders that we already understand, he said. "Whether this is the sort of thing we would do on a widespread basis for all pregnancies, that’s an open question and a complex one," he said. The complexity comes, of course, from the ethical issues that arise concerning parents who would selectively abort fetuses that are predestined for certain conditions. The technology worries medical ethicist Harriet Washington, who fears parents could use genome sequencing to predict and selectively abort children that don't meet certain standards - not just for diseases, but for things like hair and eye color. “If we don’t look at the dangers, if we adopt this Pollyanna attitude and only look at the benefits, then it’s really easy to end up in a situation where we are blindsided,” Washington said. Perhaps one day, even intelligence scores or skills could be forecasted, creating a situation akin the movie "Gattaca" where babies are basically custom-created to suit the needs of parents who can afford the technology. What do you think about all this? Share your thoughts in the comments. soundoff (1,645 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Next »Leave a Reply to RV Fiberglass Repair Near Me
Next entry »'Life begins at the end of your comfort zone'
« Previous entryCelebrities can be bad for your health
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
http://scienceconsultant.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvmotorsports.co
http://cablebutler.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bestservicenearme.com
http://www.terrehautehousing.org/dot_emailfriend.asp?referurl=https://ocrvexperts.com
http://davebrubaker.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=quotenearme.com
After going over a handful of the blog posts on your website, I truly like your technique of blogging. I book-marked it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site too and let me know what you think.
http://eileenfisher.am/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.today
https://www.serbiancafe.com/cir/diskusije/new/redirect.php?url=http://bestshopnearme.com/
http://www.wifesinterracialmovies.com/cgi-bin/atx/out.cgi?id=99&tag=toplist&trade=https://bestservicenearme.com
Having read this I thought it was really enlightening. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
http://www.infohep.org/Aggregator.ashx?url=https://www.ocrvcenter.com/
http://szbda.cn/index.php?m=poster&c=index&a=poster_click&sitespaceid=1&id=61&url=http://www.ocrvcenter.com/
There is certainly a great deal to learn about this topic. I like all the points you've made.
https://azurewebsites.net/Feed/Out.aspx?src=Profile_markostojic19&URL=ocrvcenter.com/
I really enjoy the blog article. Thanks Again. 727018215
https://cursomestresdobitcoin30.com.br
https://www.jim.fr/_/pub/textlink/371?url=http://www.ocrvcenter.com/
https://www.designbiz.com/absolutebm/LinkToWebURL.asp?URL=http://ocrvcenter.com
I really like looking through a post that can make men and women think. Also, many thanks for allowing for me to comment!
http://whizpr.nl/tracker.php?u=https://ocrvcenter.com
Wonderful article! We are linking to this great content on our site. Keep up the good writing.
https://ourger.com/?c=scene&a=link&id=47154371&url=http://ocrvcenter.com
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I am hoping to check out the same high-grade content from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own, personal site now 😉
http://www.infotiger.com/addurl.html?url=http://www.ocrvcenter.com&
http://www.olegkikin.com/go.php?u=www.ocrvcenter.com
I have to thank you for the efforts you've put in writing this blog. I really hope to view the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own blog now 😉
http://amblav.it/aggiornabannerstatistiche.aspx?idbanner=251&link=https://www.ocrvcenter.com
Iím amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog thatís both equally educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something too few folks are speaking intelligently about. I'm very happy that I found this in my hunt for something regarding this.
https://www.agilecrm.com/click?u=https://ocrvcenter.com/
Having read this I believed it was rather informative. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
http://www.startgames.ws/friend.php?url=ocrvcenter.com
https://showingtime.com/rd/RD?c=REALTORCOM&s=FMREALTY&url=ocrvcenter.com
http://gooya.com/ads/www/delivery/ck.php?ct=1&oaparams=2__bannerid=145__zoneid=23__cb=7c6fac2ccf__oadest=https://www.ocrvcenter.com/
I truly love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you build this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as Iím hoping to create my very own blog and would like to know where you got this from or what the theme is named. Many thanks!
http://odokon.org/w3a/redirect.php?redirect=http://ocrvcenter.com
http://dailycomet.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
http://www.affclkr.com/track/clicks/3171/c627c2b89e0522dbfe9cbd2e8d2b8914736245cb75e9f0ab416db1046005?t=https://www.ocrvcenter.com/
Hi, I do think this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to come back yet again since I bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.
http://www.wakwak.com/~yadoryuo/cgi-bin/click3/click3.cgi?cnt=chalet-main&url=ocrvcenter.com/
Wonderful post! We are linking to this particularly great content on our site. Keep up the good writing.
http://www.jitsys.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=ocrvcenter.comholostyak-stb-2021
Tỷ Số Bóng Đá Trực Tuyến Ngày Hôm Nayhtv2 onlineTheo thể thức thi đấu, đội thắng ở cặp đấu này sẽ giành tấm vé đến Lithuania vào ngày hội bóng đá lớn nhất thế giới đến futsal. Tuyển futsal Việt Nam bước vào trận play-off lượt đi tranh vé dự play-off World Cup 2021 với sự tự tin. Tuy vậy, HLV Phạm Minh Giang bày tỏ, toàn đội ko ngán Lebanon tuy vậy sẽ tìm cách để khắc chế sức mạnh của đối thủ bởi bên trên băng ghế huấn luyện là nhà cầm quân Ramiro Lopez, người từng dẫn dắt futsal Tây Ban Nha.|Dựa vào lịch thi đấu, quý khách rất có thể sắp xếp công việc
https://questiontime.info/detail/xe-vtv3-94568.html
http://www.infohep.org/Aggregator.ashx?url=ocrvcenter.com
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Thanks for supplying this info.
https://www.jumpw.com/logout.jsp?returnurl=http://ocrvcenter.com
http://handler.fiksu.com/click?adid=0803d9e0-b918-0131-ee96-22000aa700a4&adnet=A1PJ9MK4&appid=672828590&device_class=ios&kontagent_token=1400&s=00001&url=http://ocrvcenter.com/
Next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not fail me just as much as this particular one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I truly thought you would have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something you can fix if you weren't too busy seeking attention.
https://mediaget.com/promo/?url=sa=t&url=http://ocrvcenter.com
Hello! I could have sworn Iíve been to this website before but after looking at many of the articles I realized itís new to me. Anyways, Iím certainly happy I stumbled upon it and Iíll be book-marking it and checking back frequently!
http://www.artshub.com.au/job-apply-external/?ListingId=227894&ApplyUrl=https://keegan5x3y3.goabroadblog.com
Itís difficult to find educated people for this topic, but you sound like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
http://ad.yp.com.hk/adserver/api/click.asp?b=763&r=2477&u=https://www.www.jared5q37h.boyblogguide.com/3845405/the-best-side-of-rv-repair-shop
https://hr.pecom.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=https://sublimedir.net/listing/camper-shop-near-me-246059
Very good write-up. I definitely love this site. Keep it up!
https://schoo.jp/redirect?url=https://www.euvapor.com/
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful article. Thank you for providing this info.
http://mugen.matrix.jp/cgi-bin/gate/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=97&url=http://zander3g3e2.blogtov.com/
http://closings.cbs6albany.com/scripts/adredir.asp?url=https://hasenco.vn
https://nailbook.jp/account/logout?redirect=https://www.junga-ltd.com
Your style is unique compared to other folks I've read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this web site.
http://yp.ocregister.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=simon3h7h7.bloggazzo.com
Howdy! I could have sworn Iíve been to this blog before but after browsing through a few of the posts I realized itís new to me. Nonetheless, Iím certainly happy I found it and Iíll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!
http://localbusiness.theledger.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=evrika41.ru/redirect?url=newportcatalina.com
Everything is very open with a precise description of the challenges. It was truly informative. Your website is very useful. Thank you for sharing!
https://www.stardock.com/bounce/ga.aspx?utmac=UA-73966-2&utmn=619816936&utmr=-&utmp=http:///&guid=ON&url=https://sublimedir.net/Society/Relationships/?p=701
http://client.paltalk.com/client/webapp/client/External.wmt?url=https://baccarat-online-spieleninmc.blogspot.com
http://www.ia.omron.com/view/log/redirect/index.cgi?url=https://www.honk-club.de/viewtopic.php?t=149271
Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a great articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I hesitate a lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.
&pageloadUid=50401cb2-9a47-40e9-874f-92ce82a94f91&articleId=a2e04b85-bb39-44d0-99b8-b289d016454a&userId=18pb9l5ifyw477f6&particleId=e7bef3cf-53ff-4286-9ab9-bc291fc82ae7
cloroquina 250 mg https://pharmaceptica.com/
/
This is a topic which is near to my heart... Best wishes! Where are your contact details though?
https://router.usconcealedcarry.com/auth/invalidate?redirectTo=https://www.ancientforestessences.com/board/board_topic/349324/5379875.htm?page=5
https://www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining/professional/pages/redir.axd?ciid=671&cachename=advertising&pagegroupid=212&url=http://forkliftrentalsnearme.com
Excellent article! We will be linking to this particularly great article on our website. Keep up the great writing.
https://www.usdf.org/e-trak/asp/forward.asp?id=354&FPath=https://ancientforestessences.com/board/board_topic/349324/5500287.htm?page=5