In 1970, Henry L. Nadler and Albert B. Gerbie helped usher in the era of prenatal
genetic diagnosis in their landmark paper ‘‘Role of amniocentesis in the interuterine
detection of genetic disorders’’ (N Engl J Med 1970;282:596-9). Since that time,
advances in genetics and perinatal medicine have occurred at an amazing pace,
allowing physicians to detect and treat genetic disorders in utero with increasing
success. There has also been an escalating demand by the public for translational
medicine where discoveries in the laboratory are rapidly brought to the bedside.
Although scientific breakthroughs in prenatal genetics have been nothing short of
dazzling, we must always remember that the benefits they bring to pregnant women
and their families is dependent upon the continuation of social attitudes and social
support that made these developments possible.