Latest news with #NIPT
The Mainichi
12-07-2025
- Health
- The Mainichi
Expert stresses need for genetic counseling amid rising interest in prenatal testing in Japan
OSAKA -- Interest in prenatal testing to check on the condition of the fetus during pregnancy is growing in Japan, but expectant mothers and their families often face the difficult decision of "selecting a life" based on test results, leading to a series of cases of trouble. What exactly is prenatal testing? Prenatal tests vary in timing, target conditions and accuracy, and are mainly divided into "diagnostic tests" and "screening tests." Diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, involve inserting a thin needle into the abdomen to check for chromosomal abnormalities. While these tests are considered highly accurate, they carry a risk of miscarriage. Screening tests, including ultrasound, pose no miscarriage risk. Recently, noninvasive prenatal genetic testing (NIPT), which estimates chromosomal abnormalities from a pregnant woman's blood, has gained popularity for being "safe and highly accurate." However, neither diagnostic nor screening tests can detect all conditions. There can be errors in test results, and other conditions may be discovered after birth. Originally, prenatal testing aimed to identify children's diseases early to facilitate appropriate care and medical intervention. However, in reality, it often forces expectant mothers to decide whether to continue the pregnancy, raising ethical concerns. NIPT, in particular, has sparked debate. According to guidelines from the Japanese Association of Medical Sciences, NIPT is limited to testing for Down syndrome, Patau syndrome and Edwards syndrome at certified facilities. Yet these guidelines are merely self-regulation by the association, and uncertified facilities offering NIPT for profit are rapidly increasing. In some cases, insufficient counseling leads to decisions, including abortion, without a definitive diagnosis. Japan lacks a registration system for prenatal testing, leaving the number of tests and facilities unknown. Some disputes over testing have led to lawsuits, with cases where clinics were ordered to pay compensation for conveying incorrect test results. Need for genetic counseling Dr. Mari Matsuo of Tokyo Women's Medical University, an expert in prenatal testing, believes that "a lack of communication between doctors and pregnant women may be behind the trouble." Matsuo advocates for "genetic counseling," where clinical geneticists and other experts provide information about prenatal testing and its implications, supporting pregnant women in their decision-making. "The importance of genetic counseling is not yet commonly recognized, and there are inconsistencies among medical facilities. It is essential for medical facilities to carefully listen to the reasons behind a woman's decision to undergo testing and build a system that supports the anxieties of expectant mothers," she said.
Metro
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Hollyoaks confirms unexpected new nemesis for Sienna Blake
Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) is left upset in upcoming Hollyoaks scenes as one character looks set to drive a wedge between her and Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin) with a pretty underhanded move. Marie Fielding (Rita Simons) is delighted when she discovers that she's set to become a grandma, with Cleo's pregnancy being revealed earlier than the mum-to-be intended. As Cleo and Sienna await the NIPT results, Marie begins to somewhat overstep, insisting on a gender reveal party. Sienna is determined to be with Cleo at the scan but she finds herself overwhelmed at the flower stall and thus asks Liberty Savage (Jessamy Stoddart) for help – but it proves fruitless. At the hospital, Marie finds Cleo alone and offers to stay. With Cleo at the bathroom, Marie takes it upon herself to put in an anonymous order at the flower stall in a bid to stop Sienna from making it to the appointment on time. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Later in the week, Cleo is keen to speak to Sienna herself and tells Marie to give her and her girlfriend some space, reiterating that she's really overstepping the mark as a grandma-to-be. Marie doesn't take this too kindly, with Cleo subsequently apologising for pushing her out but tensions soon rise when Sienna puts two and two together, convinced that Marie placed the order at the stall in a bid to stop her from going to the hospital. Marie feins shock and denies such a thing. Cleo, meanwhile, wonders if Sienna is just jumping to conclusions. More Trending Can Sienna convince her otherwise? And will Marie back off? If there's one thing you simply don't want to do, it's make an enemy of Sienna! The week in question will prove eventful for Sienna, that's for sure, as in addition to the drama with Marie, she is also tasked with throwing Jez(Jeremy Sheffield) and John Paul McQueen (James Sutton) a pre-wedding celebration at Casa McQueen. View More » Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4's streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4 . If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: EastEnders fans are all saying the same thing as Rita Simons exits Hollyoaks MORE: Major Hollyoaks exit confirmed as popular star quits after 2 years MORE: Hollyoaks confirms seriously dark twist as Clare Devine commits her cruelest act yet
India.com
06-07-2025
- Health
- India.com
Fertility At 40: How Older Parents Are Redefining Parenthood
Parenthood at 40 years old is a new trend that is fast emerging owing to changing lifestyles, career aspirations, and the latest developments in the field of medicine. Older parents are emotionally more mature, stable, and satisfied with life to raise children. Dr. Nishi Singh, Head of Fertility, Prime IVF shares how older parents are redefining parenthood. Though with advancing age, the problems in fertility do escalate, however, options like IVF, egg freezing, and holistic therapy have opened the way for older parents. It is not delayed parenthood but a modification of new parenthood. Experience, self-confidence, and support groups are making 40+ parents break the myths and prove that it is love, and not age, that is the best time to be a parent. Why Do Individuals Delay Delivery? Individuals delay childbearing because of personal, career, and social reasons, as most individuals are engaged in achieving higher levels of education, career progression, or occupational or personal growth during their younger years. There is also an urgency to gain a flawless partner and a good, stable relationship prior to starting a family. Reproductive technology enabled individuals to delay parenthood, freeing them from the burden of being early parents. With increased life span and health standards, individuals can conveniently become parents at the age of 40, the decision now an informed, conscious one and not a social presumption. Fertility at 40 Fertility, naturally, would decrease with age since women are born with a limited number of oocytes, and at the age of 40 and beyond, both their number and quality decrease significantly. This will reduce the chances of spontaneous conception, cause more miscarriages, and expose them to increased risks of chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). Even in males, fertility declines this fast, though age influences the motility, integrity, and quality of sperm. Reproductive technologies such as IVF, ICSI, and freezing of eggs or embryos are giving hope to the lives of couples. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) allow for the identification of defects so parents can decide. The Medical Advantages and Disadvantages of Delayed Pregnancy More than 40 years of pregnancy is clinically "advanced maternal age." Placenta previa is one of the gestational hypertension, cesarean section, and abnormal placental functions. But all complications are preventable now with the era's advanced technology. Some of the doctor-recommended standards include maternal-fetal medicine evaluation, early screening, and a personal birth plan. On the contrary, older parents shall be economically and psychologically sound, worry-free, with an uninterrupted child-bearing environment. Even science emphasizes the fact that children born to older parents have some plus points in their growth, such as superior educational achievement and emotional stability. The Role of Lifestyle and Support Systems The lifestyle is the prime concern of all couples undergoing conception pregnancy at the age of over 40 years. A preconception medical checkup will show if there are any underlying conditions such as thyroid, high blood pressure, or insulin resistance. Nutritional balance in the form of prenatal vitamins, folic acid, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids takes over as the priority for fetal growth. A normal pregnancy is sustained by a care group of exercise, stress relief, and relaxation. Avoid alcoholic drinks and cigarettes as well, since they will also play a similar important role in inflicting damage to the mother and the developing child. Similar in value is a network of feeling and fact, support mothering, domestic assistance, and accessible medical caregivers who will be capable of providing an atmosphere of support able to sustain the bodily and emotional weariness that precedes late pregnancy and initial motherhood stages. Parenthood On Your Terms If you're going to become a parent beyond the age of 40, you should: ● First, book a consultation to check whether and how any existing medical conditions need to be addressed. ● Eat healthy and begin prenatal vitamin supplements like folic acid, iron, and DHA. ● Regular exercise for a healthy heart and metabolism, and get a good sleep to prevent stress. ● Smoking, alcohol consumption, and other toxins substances that go through the placenta and inhibit fertility and fetal development should be avoided. ● Look for support from parenting classes or counseling. Parenthood at age 40 is no longer a sign of danger but increasingly a viable, even a hip, choice. With proper guidance, sound judgment, and healthy living, increasingly more are not only defying odds but thriving.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
27-06-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Genomic testing sees sharp uptake in India, now growing beyond metros
With 18 per cent CAGR, India's genomic diagnostics market is expanding into Tier 2 and 3 cities as affordability, cancer screening, and personalised care fuel adoption Anjali Singh Mumbai Demand for genomic testing in India has surged significantly over the past two to three years, fuelled by growing clinical awareness, rapid technological advancements and the rising adoption of personalised medicine. From being a niche service concentrated in major metros, genomic diagnostics are now expanding into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, reshaping the landscape of preventive and precision healthcare. The Indian genomic diagnostics market is valued at $550 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18 per cent, reaching $2,066.31 million by 2030, according to industry estimates. Key drivers include wider physician adoption, declining test prices, improved accessibility and a shift in consumer behaviour towards proactive and personalised healthcare. Diagnostic majors such as Agilus Diagnostics, Metropolis Healthcare, Dr Lal PathLabs, Mahajan Imaging and Labs, and Redcliffe Labs report double-digit growth in the segment. While metros like Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi still contribute the lion's share, growing awareness and infrastructure in cities like Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, Pune, Kochi and Surat are driving demand beyond urban hubs. Test affordability has improved substantially. Prices for routine genomic tests—like BRCA1/2 (used to analyse a person's DNA to identify mutations in genes that increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer) and NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing, a blood test performed on pregnant women to assess the risk of certain genetic conditions in the foetus)—have come down by 30–40 per cent, now ranging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 20,000, depending on complexity. While advanced oncology panels and exome sequencing can still cost up to Rs 2 lakh, widespread adoption of high-throughput platforms and in-house test development has made even complex testing more accessible. Experts believe that although demand for genomic testing is rising across multiple segments, increasing cancer incidence and a countrywide focus on cancer detection and reproductive health have been key growth drivers. 'The rapid increase in demand for cancer tests, along with paediatric and reproductive health applications like prenatal testing and carrier testing, are major contributing factors driving growth in genetic testing. The country is also witnessing a rise in testing for rare genetic diseases, driven by India's huge genetic diversity,' said Nilaya Varma, group chief executive officer and co-founder, Primus Partners. 'Genomic testing now contributes 5–7 per cent of our total diagnostics revenue, up from under 2 per cent three years ago,' said Anand K, managing director and chief executive officer, Agilus Diagnostics. Redcliffe Labs pegs this number even higher, at 30–40 per cent, with consistent 20 per cent year-on-year growth in test volumes. 'We've seen a dramatic rise in genomic testing demand over the past five years, especially in oncology, rare diseases and reproductive health. What's encouraging is that Tier 2 and 3 cities like Lucknow, Bhubaneswar and Coimbatore are now actively adopting these tests,' said Himani Pandey, lab head – genomics, Redcliffe Labs. Metropolis Healthcare, which entered the genomics space three years ago, has seen over 50 per cent revenue growth in the segment and plans further expansion through investments in bioinformatics and next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms. 'We've seen over 50 per cent revenue growth in genomics since our entry into the space three years ago. Genomic testing is increasingly being integrated into routine health check-ups, cancer diagnostics, rare disease screening and personalised treatment planning. We are investing heavily in bioinformatics and NGS platforms to scale further,' said Kirti Chadha, chief scientific and innovation officer, Metropolis Healthcare. Similarly, Dr Lal PathLabs, through its genomics division Genevolve, has launched over 500 tests covering oncogenomics, neurogenomics, rare disease panels and reproductive health. 'With Illumina's NovaSeq X platform at our national reference lab and a focused genomics sales team, we're bringing cutting-edge testing to both metros and smaller towns,' said Shankha Banerjee, chief executive officer, Dr Lal PathLabs. While margins on genomic tests can vary—and in many cases remain lower than routine diagnostics due to high input costs and low volumes—players see genomics as a long-term strategic bet. 'It's not just about margins—it's about clinical value and helping doctors make better treatment decisions,' said Shelly Mahajan, lab director at Mahajan Imaging. A common thread across players is the push for in-house development and Indian population–specific panels, often coupled with global partnerships for specialised tests. Most labs are also investing in AI-driven bioinformatics, advanced molecular labs and automation to enhance scalability. Yet, challenges remain. Despite cost reductions, insurance coverage for genomic tests in India is still extremely limited, creating affordability barriers for patients in lower-income segments. Industry leaders stress that broader insurance inclusion could accelerate adoption, particularly for cancer, rare diseases and reproductive health-related tests. Nonetheless, the momentum is clear: Genomic testing is no longer a fringe offering. With its ability to provide deep molecular insights for early diagnosis, targeted therapy and risk prediction, it is fast becoming a core pillar in India's diagnostics growth strategy.
Zawya
17-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Gulf Scientific Corporation announces strategic partnership with GeneMind Biosciences
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Gulf Scientific Corporation (GSC), a leading provider of scientific and laboratory solutions, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with GeneMind Biosciences, a pioneering developer of DNA sequencing systems. This alliance marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to delivering innovative healthcare solutions and advancing molecular diagnostics. Founded with a focus on research and development, GeneMind Biosciences is a key player in the development of high-performance DNA sequencers - core instruments of modern molecular diagnostics. The company is committed to building a comprehensive precision medical ecosystem by collaborating with genetic testing service providers and medical institutions worldwide. This partnership with GSC represents a shared vision to enhance diagnostic capabilities, support cutting-edge scientific research, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. By combining GSC's extensive network and expertise with GeneMind's innovative sequencing technology, we aim to drive forward the future of healthcare through advanced molecular diagnostics, including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). GSC is proud to represent GeneMind Biosciences in the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar, bringing their groundbreaking NIPT technology to healthcare providers and patients across these markets. GeneMind's cutting-edge NIPT technology allows for early and accurate detection of fetal chromosomal abnormalities, reducing the risk of miscarriage and improving pregnancy outcomes. This technology has the potential to revolutionize prenatal care and improve the lives of expectant mothers. "We are excited to collaborate with GeneMind Biosciences, whose innovative DNA sequencing solutions align perfectly with our mission to empower healthcare providers to achieve their scientific objectives by providing innovative and reliable solutions, application support, and comprehensive after-sales services," stated Manaf Afyouni, Managing Director of Gulf Scientific Corporation. "Our partnership will enable us to bring cutting-edge NIPT technology to the region, enhancing prenatal care and improving patient outcomes." As part of this strategic partnership, GSC will be providing comprehensive support and services to healthcare professionals within the region. This collaboration will also facilitate the development of new research initiatives and projects focused on advancing molecular diagnostics and NIPT. We look forward to sharing updates on the groundbreaking initiatives and projects that will result from this strategic partnership. For more information about Gulf Scientific Corporation and our solutions, including GeneMind's NIPT technology, please visit Source: AETOSWire Contact details: Manaf Afyouni Email: marketing@ Website:
