Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the National Screening Committee's advice regarding antenatal screening for cystic fibrosis. [110249]
§ Mr. DenhamThe United Kingdom National Screening Committee does not currently recommend the introduction of routine antenatal screening for cystic fibrosis. This is based on the advice of its specialist Antenatal Screening Sub-Group. The aim of any antenatal screening programme would be informed choice and as yet there are too many mutations of cystic fibrosis and too little information on their clinical severity to enable counsellors to facilitate informed choice. The UK National Screening Committee will review this approach in the light of any new evidence.