PRENATAL-DIAGNOSIS SERVICES IN GREECE

The report presents the available prenatal diagnosis (PND) services in Greece. PND for chromosomal anomalies after amniocentesis was initiat ed in 1976 and became gradually widely accepted. Chorionic villus samp ling was introduced in 1983. Approximately 6,500 women undergo PND for chromosomal anomalies annually, most of them for advanced maternal ag e. 700 cases are also tested prenatally each year for haemoglobinopath ies. The study describes the PND services available in the country, th e procedures currently used, the impact of prenatal testing on the pre vention of genetic diseases and the legal issues concerning PND in Gre ece.