This guest post was written by The Bump executive editor Rebecca Dolgin.

In case you missed it, last week a study published in Nature linked a father’s age to autism, schizophrenia and other diseases. According to the piece, fathers passed on four times as many genetic mutations as mothers.

This is bad news. But, from the press coverage it got last week, you’d think this was the best thing to happen to women over 35 who want to have kids. Here’s what CNN anchor Ashleigh Banfield had to say, “I had my babies at 38 and 39 and I was terrified,” she said on air. “Honey, you’re in the conversation now. It’s not just me.” I don’t mean to single her out — there were tons of comments just like hers. It seems like we (well, by “we” I mean “ women” in general) almost seem happy about this report. Suddenly someone else can be blamed. Has it really gotten this bad?

I think this is really sad. And misses the whole point. Am I the only one who feels this way?

Post a comment here or tweet me @rebdolgin.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Autism: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Prepare Your Health History

Should I Get Genetic Testing?

Researchers at the University of Washington have found a way to virtually map the entire genome of a fetus using a blood sample from mom and a saliva sample from dad. Their findings were published in Science Translational Medicine. This breakthrough might help parents find out the complete DNA blueprint of their unborn child, which could help detect genetic diseases very early. This might be appealing to some because it’s less invasive and risky than an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) test. But knowing about genetic makeup before baby’s born could lead to an ethical debate — some believe couples who know more about baby’s traits might choose abortions when they otherwise wouldn’t.

Scientists say that the DNA sequencing has a 98% accuracy, but it’s not ready for use right now and will pretty pricey to do (around $20,000 to 50,000). Some experts estimate that the procedure could be available in three to five years.

Would you want to find out the DNA Blueprint of your child? Are you getting any genetic testing during pregnancy?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Make Baby Smarter and Healthier Before Conception

What to Expect During an Amnio

Do I Need Genetic Testing?

Over the weekend, republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum reportedly took some time off to be with his three-year-old daughter Bella (short for Isabella), who was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. Monday, Bella — who’s known to have the genetic condition Trisomy 18 — was released from the hospital. And yesterday, Santorum announced he was suspending the campaign. So maybe Bella’s health and the decision to withdraw aren’t connected. But people are still wondering: What the heck is Trisomy 18 anyhow?

Well, according to the National Institutes of Health, Trisomy 18 (aka Edwards syndrome) happens when a baby gets extra genetic material from chromosome 18 — that causes developmental problems. The Trisomy 18 Foundation says this happens in about 1 out of every 3000 live births.

Babies with the condition often have clenched hands, crossed legs, curved feet, low birth weight, mental deficiency, a small head and other developmental issues.

In children with Trisomy 18, medical complications like Bella’s pneumonia are more likely to be life-threatening. In fact, it’s rare that children with the disorder make it to their third birthday the way Bella has. Sadly, 50 percent of Trisomy 18 babies who are carried to term are stillborn and less than 10 percent survive to age one. But there’s a small number who live into their 20s and 30s — these adults have significant developmental problems and often need assisted living arrangements.

Unfortunately, Trisomy 18 can’t be prevented, but you can find out your baby’s risk. If you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant and you’re concerned about Trisomy 18 or other genetic disorders, ask your doctor about genetic counseling. A counselor can help you and your partner compile your family health histories to weigh your baby’s risk of certain genetic conditions and help you decide what type of genetic testing you may want to get while you’re expecting.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Should I get genetic testing?

Prepare Your Health History

Do I need genetic counseling?