Amniocentesis is a procedure performed on pregnant women to check for chromosomal abnormalities and infections. A needle is inserted into the amniotic sac to extract fluid for analysis. Risks include damage to the fetus and possible miscarriage, but recent estimates have placed the risk of miscarriage at one in 1,600. Amniotic fluid is rich in stem cells, which could replace the use of stem cells taken from embryos or fetuses in scientific research and development.
An amniocentesis procedure is performed on a pregnant woman to check for chromosomal abnormalities and/or infections. During the procedure, a large needle is inserted into a woman’s abdomen and into the amniotic sac that surrounds the fetus. The needle draws out a small amount of amniotic fluid which is then analyzed.
There are many risks to a woman and her fetus while pregnant. To prepare for and anticipate such risks, an amniocentesis procedure may be necessary to analyze the amniotic fluid, the fluid in which a fetus develops. This fluid has been shown to reveal many types of birth abnormalities and infections, some of which can be treated or corrected.
Before the amniocentesis procedure begins, a local anesthetic is given to a pregnant woman to relieve any pain that may be caused during the procedure. After the anesthetic takes effect, a doctor will insert a needle into a woman’s abdomen, puncturing the wall of the uterus. The doctor uses ultrasound to guide the needle away from the fetus to avoid injury. The needle will then extract approximately 20ml of amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac, which the body then replenishes over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Once a doctor has amniotic fluid, they will isolate the fetal cells and grow them in a culture medium. They are then stained and tested for any chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome or infection. The body repairs the puncture of the amniotic sac through normal healing processes.
The amniocentesis procedure typically takes place between the 15th and 20th week of pregnancy. In some cases, the test can be done at 11 to 13 weeks and this is called an early amniocentesis procedure. Risks include damage to the fetus and possible miscarriage, although these risks are low compared to the risk of not having one. Recent estimates have placed the risk of miscarriage at one in 1,600.
Since amniotic fluid is rich in stem cells, it could in the future replace the use of stem cells taken from discarded embryos or fetuses. This would circumvent the ethical concerns of pro-lifers who insist that the use of stem cells from embryos or fetuses is immoral. Stem cells are the building blocks of the body and are therefore highly valuable in scientific research and development. Amniotic stem cells have already been shown to be able to engineer cells, such as those found in bone, muscle or fat.
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