The Working Mom by Kay Luna

Are you pregnant?  If so, science wants to study you … and your unborn child … for the next 21 years.

Yes, this is for real.

According to a new story in the New York Times, it’s part of an unprecedented undertaking: the largest, most comprehensive long-term study of the health of children, beginning even before they are born.

“Authorized by Congress in 2000, the National Children’s Study began last January, its projected cost swelling to about $6.7 billion,” the story states. “With several hundred participants so far, it aims to enroll 100,000 pregnant women in 105 counties, then monitor their babies until they turn 21.”

Researchers are collecting and analyzing vaginal fluid, toenail clippings, breast milk and other things, and will ask about everything from possible drug use to depression.

At the birth, specimen collectors scoop up the placenta and even the baby’s first feces.

Wow.

The New York Times story also includes quotes from a woman named Alejandra, who says in Spanish that, at first, she thought the scientists’ offer might be a scam. Her husband, Jose, didn’t want her to do it. But she decided it was worth it to “help the next generation,” she said.

Here’s a link to more information about the study: http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/Pages/default.aspx

What do you think? Would any of you consider participating in a study like this?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 at 12:01 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.