Bundestag calls for more control of blood tests for Down syndrome

The Bundestag is urging that blood tests for pregnant women for Down syndrome in the child, which are now possible at health insurance costs, be monitored more closely. Parliament adopted with a large majority a motion from a cross-party group of representatives calling on the federal government to introduce monitoring in order to obtain more data. A committee of experts is to be set up to examine the legal, ethical and health policy basis of the health insurance company's approval.

529 MPs voted for the motion, there were 18 votes against and 23 abstentions. Shortly before the debate, the initiators agreed on a change with another group of representatives, which was initially accepted. As an addition, it was added that it would be ensured that pregnant women's access to the health insurance-financed blood test “is not made more difficult if there is a justified medical indication”.

Since 2022, the blood tests can be paid for by statutory health insurance companies under certain conditions, as the responsible joint federal committee of doctors, clinics and health insurance companies decided. Blood is taken from pregnant women and genetically analyzed. It is less risky than examinations that have long been common, in which amniotic fluid is removed through the woman's abdominal wall. Previously, you had to pay for tests yourself.

People with Down syndrome have more chromosomes

People with Down syndrome have one more chromosome in each cell. There are three copies of chromosome 21, hence the name trisomy 21. The consequences are physical abnormalities and slowed motor, mental and linguistic development. However, manifestations can be very different. One in around 600 to 800 children in Germany is born with Down syndrome every year.