NORTHFIELD, Ill. (June 02, 2026) — The College of American Pathologists (CAP) will convene leading experts in laboratory medicine, obstetrics, research, and health equity for the Prenatal Serum Screening Symposium: Examining the Use of Race in Clinical Practice on June 19, 2026. The one-day virtual symposium will bring together these experts to discuss the future of race-neutral prenatal serum screening and the evidence shaping evolving clinical practice.
The symposium is part of a broader CAP initiative funded through a grant awarded by the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) as part of its national initiative to address the use of race in clinical algorithms. The initiative supports the CAP’s development of an evidence-based guideline and collaborative research efforts focused on validating race-neutral risk assessment algorithms using diverse patient data.
“This symposium represents a critical step in advancing evidence-based and equitable approaches to prenatal serum screening,” said Ann Moyer, MD, PhD, FCAP, guideline co-chair. “By bringing together experts from across disciplines, we hope to foster meaningful dialogue, identify remaining research gaps, and support laboratories and clinicians as practices evolve.”
Prenatal serum screening estimates the risk of fetal genetic conditions using biomarker levels interpreted through clinical algorithms that have historically incorporated maternal race. The continued use of race in these assessments is increasingly being reevaluated due to concerns surrounding scientific validity, health equity, and the potential for unnecessary follow-ups and testing driven by false positive results.
The agenda will feature presentations and panel discussions examining current research, clinical implications, implementation experiences, and future directions for laboratories navigating race-neutral screening approaches.
The symposium will be held virtually via Zoom from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 PM CT.
The CAP initiative is funded through Grant 2024-0067 from the Doris Duke Foundation. The grant program is administered by the CMSS and runs from July 2025 through June 2026.
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As the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. For more information, visit the CAP Newsroom, CAP.org and yourpathologist.org to watch pathologists at work and see the stories of the patients who trust them with their care.