The ability to detect genetic disorders before birth has improved dramatically during the last two decades. Although considered fairly safe, these procedures are only performed on those patients that have a higher risk for disease or have experienced previous birthing difficulties, as complications to both the mother and fetus can occur. With the advent of newer molecular biology techniques, the procedures for performing prenatal diagnosis keep improving as well as an increased understanding of the genetic mechanisms involved.

Amniocentesis is the removal of amniotic fluid via a needle inserted through the maternal abdomen into the uterus and amniotic sac, in order to gain information about the status of fetal cells. This technique is performed in the second trimester of pregnancy (between 15 to 18 weeks gestation). In 1966, researchers were first able to culture and analyze fetal cells form amniotic fluid. Soon thereafter it became possible to...