Abstract: The methods of the present invention use blood of pregnant females and fetal cell amplification to facilitate prenatal diagnosis without invading fetal space. This method is less invasive and simpler than amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling because it involves only drawing blood from the mother to obtain a fetal cell sample. If there is a specific disease with known molecular mutations being sought, cells from the sample are a source of DNA enriched for fetal material. If the disease is one involving red cells, this method provides fetal red cells for analysis. If the disease involves white cells, different cytokines can be used to selectively produce fetal leukocytes. When an abnormal chromosome pattern without a specific diagnostic risk (e.g., advanced maternal age) is being sought, then the culture method provides dividing cells of fetal origin.