HC Deb 19 July 1979 vol 970 c828W
Mr. Bendall

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is completely satisfied that the screening of pregnant women to discover if the child is handicapped is perfectly safe and not harmful to the mother or the child.

Dr. Vaughan

The danger of X-rays to the developing foetus is now well recognised and screening procedures involving radiology are no longer used. Some recently developed procedures involving analysis of amniotic fluid do carry a slight risk to the foetus. In each case the doctor has to decide whether the risk of the screening procedure is outweighed by the potential handicapping consequences of the disorder for which screening is being suggested.