The Blood Test

A LIFE OR DEATH DECISION

Just one small prick and expectant parents know that their child is healthy – or so they hope. A blood test is a relatively accurate and risk-free method of detecting Down’s syndrome or another trisomy in unborn children. But what happens if the result is abnormal? It’s something many expectant parents don’t think about. Until they’re suddenly faced with deciding about the life or death of their child. A truly traumatic experience.

In Germany this blood test will in future be paid for by the statutory health insurers. Doctors believe that many more women will then take the test – and critics are afraid that this could make the abortion of handicapped children a matter of course. The test is about to change our society. We have accompanied expectant parents for a year and consulted gynaecologists, prenatal diagnosticians, ethicists and church representatives to find out what’s necessary to deal responsibly with the blood test. And to help parents to make the right decision for them.

TEAM

Written and directed by Ilka aus der Mark // Camera: Dieter Stürmer, Jarek Presnück, Christian Eichenauer // Editor: Maximilian Narkovic // Sound: Gabriel Hahn, Viola Hellmann, Julian Kolb, Max Riemer // Music: Markus Aust // Sound mix: Florian Ebrecht // Sound editing: Maximilian Narkovic // Narrator: Yvon Jansen // Production assistants: Laura Bleifuß, Annemarie Zertisch // Production management: Katja Sträter (Längengrad), Christian Wulf (WDR) // Producers: Tanja Winkler (Längengrad), Renate Werner (WDR) // Executive producers: Sarah Zierul, Thomas Weidenbach // Commissioning editor: Christiane Mausbach // Produced by Längengrad Filmproduktion for WDR

 

  • CLIENT ARD
  • YEAR 2021
  • LENGTH 45 min