# Prenatal Phenotype Preferences MaterniT21 Will Let You Select the Genes of Your Children By Omar Yusuf | Published 2011-10-25 | Updated 2011-10-31 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maternit21 References: [io9](http://io9.com/5853246/the-era-of-non) & [nature](http://www.nature.com/news/2011/111025/full/478440a.html) Although many scoffed at the ideas of [genetic selection](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-ai-baby-generator) introduced by the 1997 film Gattaca, a new procedure called MaterniT21 will make the world [prenatal screening](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oto-fertility) a startling, perhaps frightening reality. Announced mere days ago, MaterniT21 promises to altogether eliminate the possibility of your child being born with Down syndrome, a genetical abnormality that seems to have recently hiked in prevalence. Whereas prior genetic screenings required invasive surgery to be conducted, Sequenom promises that their method is as simple and straightforward as a [routine blood test](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/genhome-array). MaterniT21 has been available upon request to American mothers-to-be since October 17th and is projected to become a staple prenatal exam. However groundbreaking this development may indeed be, it comes front-loaded with several difficult questions: what are the ethical implications of bringing a child, proven to be malformed or disabled, to term? What stigmas will be associated with terminating a so-called “defective” child? It’s difficult to even broach the idea of eugenics in modern biology, but the recent introduction of MaterniT21 may force us to consider the morality of it. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 13% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Genetic Selection:** New procedure MaterniT21 allows for the selection of genes in prenatal screening, presenting an opportunity for disruptive innovation in reproductive technology. - **Non-invasive Genetic Screening:** MaterniT21 offers a non-invasive alternative to traditional genetic screenings, opening up possibilities for disruptive innovation in the field of prenatal exams. - **Ethical Implications of Genetic Testing:** The introduction of MaterniT21 raises important ethical questions surrounding the termination and selection of fetuses, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation in bioethics and counseling. ### Where This Applies - **Reproductive Technology:** The development of MaterniT21 presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the reproductive technology industry, allowing for genetic selection in prenatal screening. - **Medical Diagnostics:** MaterniT21's non-invasive genetic screening method opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the medical diagnostics industry, revolutionizing the field of prenatal exams. - **Bioethics and Counseling:** The ethical implications raised by MaterniT21 call for disruptive innovation in the bioethics and counseling industry, prompting discussions on reproductive decision-making. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Gene-Guided Prenatal Nutrition Plans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/genate.md) - [Branded Pregnancy Scans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pregnancy-scans.md) - [IVF-Supporting Medical Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/medical-devices.md) - [Sweat-Based Pregnancy Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/molesense.md) - [Drug Predisposition-Testing DNA Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dna-testing-kits.md) - [AI-Generated Baby Images](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-baby-generator1.md) - [Genetic-Specific Nutrition Insights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earth-fare-genopalate.md) - [Parenthood-Focused Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/procreate-match.md) - [Prenatal Care Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/morrama.md)