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Genome of 18-week-old foetus deciphered
Source: BBC
7 June 2012 Last updated at 14:42 GMT
Genome of 18-week-old foetus deciphered
By James Gallagher
Health and science reporter, BBC News
A blood sample from mum and saliva from dad have been used to sequence the genome of a foetus in the womb, by US researchers.
At the time, the mother was just 18 weeks into the pregnancy.
The doctors said the findings, reported in Science Translational Medicine, could eventually lead to foetuses being screened for thousands of genetic disorders in a single and safe test.
However, they also caution it would raise "many ethical questions".
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Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18353055