The Genetics of Mental Retardation: Biomedical, Psychosocial and Ethical Issues

Section I: Prenatal Diagnosis.- Recent Developments in Prenatal Diagnosis: Biomedical Aspects.- First Trimester Fetal Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases: Techniques, Risks and Indications.- Chromosomal Findings in First Trimester Chorionic Villi Biopsy.- A Laboratory View of Prenatal Diagnosis.- Fetoscopy and Chorionic Villi Sampling in Prenatal Diagnosis of Genetic Disorders.- Psychosocial Aspects of Prenatal Diagnosis.- Ethical Questions in the Prenatal Chromosomal Diagnosis of Mental Retardation from the Paediatrician's and Clinical Geneticist's Points of View.- Evolution of Ethical Issues in Prenatal Diagnosis.- The Necessity for Ethical Reflection in Genetic Counselling: Advice for Professionals.- Discussion.- Section II: Postnatal Diagnosis.- Screening for Hemoglobinopathies in New York City.- The Use of the Computer in the Diagnosis of Dysmorphic Syndromes.- Genetic Causes of Mental Retardation in India.- Postnatal Diagnosis - The Next Decade.- Mental Retardation Syndromes Recognised after Birth: Problems of Diagnosis and Management.- Mental Retardation - Common Diagnostic and Genetic Counselling Problems.- Treating the Severely Handicapped Newborn Child: The Field of Choice.- Discussion.- Section III: Genetic Counselling.- Genetic Counselling in Mental Retardation: Realities and Implications.- X-linked Mental Retardation and fragile X (q27): Pitfalls and Difficulties in Diagnosis and Genetic Counselling.- Mentally Retarded Children Admitted to a Child Psychiatric Department: Diagnostic Problems and Counselling.- The Prevention of Mental Retardation with the Help of an Optimal Family Planning Programme.- Recent Developments in Genetic Counselling: Ethical Viewpoints.- Ethical Questions in Counselling for Patients Affected with Tuberous Sclerosis.- Psychosocial Development in the Field of Genetic Counselling.- Discussion.- Notes on Contributors.