Tony Perkins' Washington Update
April 21, 2005

Senators Kennedy and Brownback Find Common Ground

When an expectant mother learns that she is going to have a child with Down Syndrome, spina bifida, cystic fibrosis, or another prenatally-diagnosed condition, it is a scary and confusing time for her and her family. There is ample evidence that many women do not have access to the best information about these and other genetic defects, including the accuracy of the prenatal test or available help. Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) have joined together to introduce S. 609, The Prenatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act in an effort to provide much needed help to women with difficult pregnancies. The bill would help ensure that women facing a positive prenatal test result will be more likely to receive up- to-date, scientific information about the life expectancy, clinical course, intellectual and functional development, and prenatal and postnatal treatment options for their child, as well as a host of other information that will empower the parents to welcome their child with greater confidence. Hopefully this is a first step toward bipartisan efforts to avoid "genetic bias" and the aid women with difficult pregnancies.

Tony Perkins' Washington Update
Family Research Council

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