Many inherited diseases seem to becoming less prevalent as a result of genetic testing, according to research by the Associated Press.
However, an article about the research said this might be because many women terminate pregnancies when they discover their child will have a disease.
A bill sponsored by Sen. Larry Means (D), if passed, may change this.
The state House is formulating a bill that would make abortions illegal and punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine or both. The bill would not apply to victims of rape, or cases in which the birth of the child would threaten the mother's life.
Means said he does not think it is likely the bill will pass, but he decided to sponsor it with Rep. Robert Means (R) because he is against abortion.
According to The March of Dimes' Web site, one in 28 children will have a birth defect.
There are two main forms of testing for defects: amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.
"There are lots of reasons for amniocentesis," said Joel Pittard, a doctor at the Auburn University Medical Clinic. "Sometimes amniocentesis is done in early pregnancy, around 15 and 16 weeks, for genetic and chromosomal testing."
Pittard said there are hundreds of genetic diseases, but most are rare.
"The bottom line is you're interested in detecting birth defects or genetic problems in the fetus," said Dr. Joe Simpson, former president of the American College of Medical Genetics.
"The most common reason it's done nowadays is for women over the age of 35 who want to have a chromosomal analysis to look for Down syndrome," Pittard said. Amniocentesis is performed by inserting a needle into a woman's abdomen to remove amniotic fluid.
Pittard said there is a slight risk of miscarriage, which he estimated is approximately a one in 400 chance.
"We test all mothers who are at risk of sickle cell; we test them to see if they have the trait," Pittard said. "A lot of patients are going to want to know that up front." Genetic testing can be done before or during pregnancy.
"Most women that do genetic or chromosomal amniocentesis, in my experience, do it for reassurance. To know that it's normal," Pittard said. "Now, there are going to be some women that opt to have an abortion, particularly if it's a lethal type of birth defect. We don't do those abortions here locally."
The results of genetic tests may affect the choices potential parents make concerning having children.
"Ideally, it would be nice for most patients to have those tests before they ever get pregnant, but that doesn't always happen," Pittard said.
There are some advantages to having genetic testing done during pregnancy.
Simpson said there are some genetic conditions that can be treated through surgery or the injection of hormones.
Some individuals get genetic testing in order to plan ahead and know what to expect, Simpson said.
"Parents make common sense decisions," Simpson said. "I think it varies."
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