Down syndrome tests not the always the best option

TESTING all pregnancies for Down Syndrome would always fail to detect the joy children with the condition bring to peoples’ lives, said president of Down syndrome Ireland Alan Crosbie, yesterday.

He was commenting on a plan to allow all pregnant women in Britain to be tested for Down syndrome on the National Health Service, a move that could double the number of unborn babies detected with the disease.

British medical experts admit abortions will rise and many women will face an increased risk of miscarriage from invasive tests.