Australian scientists have developed a new pre-natal test for birth defects in unborn babies to replace a procedure that carries a small risk of causing miscarriage, a report said Saturday. Instead of undergoing an amniocentesis - where a needle is inserted through the abdomen into the uterus to draw off amniotic fluid - a simple cervical swab can be carried out to test for diseases such as Down Syndrome and cystic fibrosis, according to researchers at Gribbles Molecular Science in Brisbane.
The smear is done at six weeks' gestation and uses DNA technology to screen fetal cells for illness.
"It's certainly less frightening for women than having a big needle inserted into their belly," lead researcher Ian Findlay told The Weekend Australian newspaper.
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