Scientists at Stanford University have shown that a simple blood test can detect mutations in the fetus. Enough of that amniocentesis has a probability of 400 to cause abortions.

A simple blood test could soon replace invasive tests such as amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis. As stated in the journal Nature, scientists at Stanford University have shown that a simple blood test can detect mutations in the fetus that are the basis of nearly 3 000 inherited diseases like cystic fibrosis. Furthermore, the new procedure will not need the father's DNA.

With prenatal genetic testing, parents will know in the late first trimester (12 or 13 weeks gestation) if the fetus has genetic or chromosomal defects.

Current techniques used for prenatal genetic testing such as amniocentesis, for example, has one chance in 400 to cause abortions.

The new test proposed by the fetal genome scientists from Stanford University, consisted solely of a blood test without introducing needles into the uterus and safe for pregnancy.

Researchers, however, are cautious: so far, been tested with the new technique in the genome of two fetuses, leading to positive results. However, further experiments are required.