The Swiss Government has recently legalized a controversial new
prenatal test that detects the presence of Down’s Syndrome – a move that could
lead to an increase of eugenic abortions in the country.
Called “Prenatest,” the procedure will be made available in
the country starting this month, according to Neue Zürcher Zeitung am Sonntag.
It uses blood samples from the mother to detect the presence of Trisomy 21 or
Down’s Syndrome in her unborn child.
The German company LifeCodexx, which developed the test,
calls it a “safe alternative to traditional invasive methods.” It claims that
the test can detect 95 per cent of cases if it is performed in the first
trimester.
According to a Daily Mail report the international
federation of Down's syndrome organisations has objected to such testing at the
European Court of Human Rights.
The federation, grouping 30 associations in 16 countries, said
in June that the Strasbourg court should 'recognise the human condition and
protect the right to life of people with Down's syndrome and those
handicapped'.
According to data from the United Nations, each year between
three and five thousand children are born with Down’s Syndrome throughout the
world.
