Down's syndrome campaigners fear plans to make a relatively new test for the condition available on the NHS will see more parents opt for termination.
Non Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) allows obstetricians to detect the presence of Down's syndrome in unborn babies without the need for amniocentesis, which puts expectant women at risk of a miscarriage.
Although NIPT is already available from private practitioners, the NHS is yet to decide whether it should be rolled out across the UK.
A petition urging caution is to be presented to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt later today.
Lucienne Cooper, whose six-year-old son Billy has Down's, welcomes the test in principle, but is worried more parents will opt for termination if their unborn baby is diagnosed with the condition.
She says: "I fear that perhaps in 20 years people with Down's syndrome won't be born anymore and my son will be considered a freak - imagine knowing people like you are not wanted."
Dr Donald Gibb, who runs private clinic The Birth Company in London's Harley Street, has been providing NIPT to his patients for three years.
He believes making the test available on the NHS is a "no brainer" - particularly for older mothers - as amniocentesis carries a 0.5% to 1% risk of losing a baby.
The National Screening Committee has recommended that NIPT should be available on the NHS.
However, the Department of Health says: "We want women to make informed decisions and access safe and appropriate tests.
"We are considering this carefully and will make an announcement in due course."
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