Researchers in Hong-Kong have been able to analyze the genes of a baby, prior to its birth. The development is being seen as a very important breakthrough, especially as it means that scientists will be able to unearth any genetic abnormalities in a child, much before its birth.

Talking about the study, one of the researchers and a Professor of Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Dennis Lo said that the study was the first to prove that the genome analysis of a child can be done by simply checking the mother's blood before birth. The genome happens to be that part of a person, which is comprised of the entire DNA in a person.

The study has already appeared in the journal Science Translation Medicine and it has been so groundbreaking that even scientists not involved in the research have called it phenomenal. However, all the scientists who have heard about the new discovery have said that the technique would require more time to develop and that it was currently in its nascent stage.

The good news about the study is that if it is successful, then tests for genetic diseases prior to the birth of a child will be non-invasive, whereas, currently such procedures are invasive.