Dutch minister questions integrity of health advisers

A row between the Dutch government and senior medical advisers over the issue of prenatal testing for Down's syndrome was resolved this week after the junior health minister, Clémence Ross, declared her confidence in the advisers' integrity.

Ms Ross had rejected the Dutch health council's advice to introduce routine prenatal screening for Down's syndrome for all pregnant women. She then raised concerns about the research it had used, in particular that of Howard Cuckle, professor of reproductive epidemiology at Leeds University. A spokesman for the minister said Ross was “surprised” by Professor Cuckle's declared interests. These include a directorship of a supplier of software for …