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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

FISH for Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis
Published on: February 23, 2011
Prenatal screening and the reduction of birth defects in populations
1Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. pbaird@unixg.ubc.ca
Objectives:
Birth defects occur in populations in 3-5% of births. This paper assesses whether population-wide screening programmes for pregnant women would be likely to result in major decreases in the prevalence of birth defects.
Method:
Relevant literature on this question is reviewed and synthesized.
Results:
Given certain assumptions, a decrease from 3-5 to 2-4% in the prevalence of defects at birth may be possible. The resources required to put in place an appropriately delivered programme to achieve this are substantial.
Conclusions:
As well as the potential benefit of a decrease, there are opportunity costs, and potential serious harms. Unless undertaken in a carefully planned and monitored way, a population-based birth defects reduction programme is likely to bring harm and anxiety rather than benefit.
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