Word: amnion
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...even more important technique enables physicians to examine the cells of the unborn only months after conception and to determine with accuracy whether or not the infant will inherit his parents' defective genes. The procedure is known as amniocentesis, from the Greek amnion (membrane) and kentesis (pricking); it is performed by inserting a long needle through the mother's abdomen and drawing off a small sample of the amniotic fluid, the amber liquid in which the fetus floats. Physicians then separate the fetal skin cells from the fluid and place the cells in a nutrient bath where they continue...