Latest news with #NIPT
Zawya
4 days ago
- 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:
Web Release
4 days ago
- Business
- Web Release
Gulf Scientific Corporation announces strategic partnership with GeneMind Biosciences to advance molecular diagnostics and pioneer non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
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
Hans India
7 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Fatherhood redefined: Strength, sensitivity, and science
Fatherhood is evolving. Today, more men are stepping beyond the traditional roles of provider or protector to become deeply involved in the emotional and physical well-being of their families. From hands-on parenting to supporting their partners, modern men are redefining what it means to be a father – active, nurturing, and fully engaged in the journey of raising a family. As fathers take on more holistic roles in parenting, there's also a growing recognition of the importance of understanding family health history and genetics to ensure their family's well-being. Each of us inherits half of our genes from each parent, creating a unique genetic blueprint that not only shapes our physical traits, behaviors, and health conditions but also influences what we pass on to the next generation. With rising awareness of inherited health conditions and the importance of early intervention, many are now taking steps that were once considered to be solely in the domain of maternal healthcare. From preconception planning to active co-parenting and prenatal support to taking proactive measures for their own health, this Father's Day, let us look at the ways men are actively participating in the parenthood journey to help ensure a healthier future for their families. Fatherhood and Family Health Traditionally, pregnancy and childcare have been associated with women in most Indian families. However, with rising awareness around inherited diseases and greater access to genetic counseling and testing, men are increasingly stepping into more active roles, particularly during the preconception and prenatal stages. Genetic tests offer valuable insights not only into an individual's health but also into potential hereditary risks for children inheriting health conditions from their parents. Role of the Father in the Pregnancy Journey Planning for pregnancy A simple blood test for couples planning to have children can reveal if they are both carriers of the same condition and their offspring are at risk of inheriting it. Some conditions may not show symptoms, but identifying whether an individual carries genetic mutations for specific inherited disorders such as thalassemia, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), or cystic fibrosis helps couples make informed decisions about potential use of prenatal testing or other reproductive options. Carrier screening can help prevent or manage the potential emotional and financial challenges for the family. Supporting and Making Informed Pregnancy Decisions Understanding and actively supporting screenings during the pregnancy journey is a vital part of being a supportive partner and an involved expectant father. Encouraging and supporting Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), which screens common chromosomal abnormalities early in pregnancy, ensures better management of a child's genetic health and early intervention wherever possible. Fathers can help in making thoughtful, evidence-based decisions during this critical stage, laying the foundation for a healthier future for both the child and the family. Understanding and Managing Own Health Men with a family history of chronic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes can undergo genetic predisposition tests that provide insights into inherited risks of developing these conditions. These insights can empower individuals to take proactive steps through targeted lifestyle changes and personalized medical interventions. Taking charge of their own health fosters a culture of preventive care and informed decision-making regarding the health and well-being of the entire family. Driving the Cultural Shift Becoming more aware of the early health options available today is not just a medical decision, but a reflection of proactive fatherhood. It signifies foresight, accountability, and care. In this journey, genetic counselors play a critical role in guiding individuals and couples through these tests, interpreting results, and offering next steps in line with their goals. This Father's Day, let's celebrate not just the role, but the responsibility of fatherhood – one that's informed, involved, and inspired by science. (The writer is a, Senior Director, Lab Operations, MedGenome)
Economist
11-06-2025
- Health
- Economist
A routine test for fetal abnormalities could improve a mother's health
WHEN NON-INVASIVE prenatal testing (NIPT) arrived in 2011, it transformed pregnancy. With a simple blood test, scientists could now sweep a mother's bloodstream for scraps of placental DNA, uncovering fetal genetic defects and shedding light on the health of the unborn baby. But the potential to monitor the mother's health went largely unappreciated.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Are We Choosing Which Lives Deserve To Be Born? The Quiet Genocide
Advancements in prenatal screening have enabled early detection of genetic conditions like Down syndrome. But in some parts of the world, this progress has quietly led to the near-eradication of individuals with the condition — long before birth. In Iceland, around 85% of expectant mothers undergo first-trimester genetic screening. Nearly 100% of those who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome choose to terminate the pregnancy. Only two or three babies with the condition are born there each year. Denmark reports a termination rate of over 95%. In France, it's around 77%. These numbers have sparked concern among ethicists and disability advocates, who warn of a troubling cultural shift: one that frames the existence of disability as undesirable — and preventable. The American Context In the United States, where prenatal screening is optional and unstandardized, the termination rate after a Down syndrome diagnosis ranges from 60% to 90%, depending on geography, access to care, and socioeconomic status. Despite these figures, advocacy groups like the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) offer a different perspective. According to their 2022 Fact Sheet, life expectancy for individuals with Down syndrome has risen from 25 years in 1983 to more than 60 years today. People with the condition increasingly live independent lives, attend school, hold jobs, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. 'Contemporary Eugenics' and the Role of NIPT The AMA Journal of Ethics has raised a pressing question: Are today's prenatal screening practices — particularly non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) — a modern form of eugenics? Unlike the coercive eugenics of the 20th century, contemporary eugenics doesn't require state enforcement. It operates subtly through individual decisions, medical norms, and cultural assumptions about what kinds of lives are 'worth living.' NIPT, which detects chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome as early as 10 weeks, may give the illusion of 'informed choice' while implicitly devaluing disability. 'Even making screening available for Down syndrome… is already, by definition, suggesting that they are not valued reproductive outcomes,' the article states. The concern, as the authors put it, is that society may be shrinking the definition of 'normal' while expanding the definition of 'abnormal' — a shift driven not by malice, but by medicine, convenience, and silence. Frank Stephens: A Voice for the Valued That silence was broken in a viral speech by disability advocate Frank Stephens, who has Down syndrome and testified before Congress: 'I would like to make three points. First, we are a medical gift to society — a blueprint for medical research into cancer, Alzheimer's, and immune system disorders. 'Second, we are an unusually powerful source of happiness. A Harvard-based study found that people with Down syndrome, as well as their parents and siblings, are happier than society at large. Surely happiness is worth something. 'Finally, we are the canary in the eugenics coal mine. We are giving the world a chance to think about the ethics of choosing which humans get a chance at life.' His testimony reframes the conversation: not just about disability, but about who gets counted as human — and what it means when entire categories of people begin to disappear. A Local Voice of Compassion Monty Bennett, a Dallas-based hotelier and philanthropist, is also the Publisher of The Dallas Express. But for Bennett, advocacy on behalf of children with disabilities is not just professional — it's personal. As the father of a special needs child, Bennett has witnessed both the challenges and the beauty of raising a child the world doesn't always understand. His experience has shaped his lifelong commitment to supporting and defending the value of every human life. 'Every life has a divine purpose, regardless of what chromosomes they carry,' Bennett told The Dallas Express. 'As the father of a special needs child, I've seen the challenges — and the incredible joy — that come with raising someone the world often overlooks. It breaks my heart to think of how many lives — full of love, dignity and joy — are quietly erased before they ever get a chance. 'Our son is an incredible blessing,' he added. 'If society measured value not by perfection but by compassion, children like him would be at the top of every list.' Bennett has long supported the development of early childhood programs that serve children with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. His philanthropy reflects a broader conviction — that children born with special needs deserve not just protection, but opportunities to thrive in a world that too often doubts their worth. Reframing the Future Disability rights advocates say the real danger isn't just the test — it's the unspoken cultural script that surrounds it. Campaigns like 'Don't Screen Us Out' warn that prenatal screening, especially when not accompanied by balanced counseling, becomes a method of informal eugenics. Choice, they argue, is only meaningful when society embraces the full spectrum of life — and supports parents, no matter the diagnosis. As prenatal technology advances, we're forced to reckon with what it reveals about us: Are we simply diagnosing? Or are we deciding who gets to be born?
