Question

Mention one positive and one negative application of amniocentesis.

Answer 1

Amniocentesis is a reliable tool in prenatal diagnosis that can provide the obstetrician with essential information regarding the prognosis of the pregnancy. It is the primary tool of prenatal genetic studies. One of the main uses of amniocentesis is to detect chromosomal abnormalities. However, this beneficial technique is sometimes misused as by knowing the sex, the female foetus which would have been absolutely normal is ruthlessly destroyed.