July 26, 2007 9:19 AM
Down syndrome - the ethics of prenatal testing and abortion
My friend Gloria sent me this link:
The Blessings of a Down Syndrome Child
Good video (although Pat Robertson is hilarious the way he intones "Down Syn-drome" :) outlining the problem of expanding prenatal testing and the push for abortions. With 90% of women facing this diagnosis aborting their babies - even as so many of our children are being assimilated beautifully into society - there is a concern for the missed opportunities. Not to mention the mindset which is determined that if a baby is not "perfect" the parents can terminate his or her life.
What happens to children who are born "perfect" but turn out to be "defective" later on?
If a gay gene is discovered, will parents be allowed to terminate the lives of those babies? Would the gay lobby then turn against the abortion option? What if you could predict your child would be a criminal or face leukemia or some other debilitating disease or terminal illness?
Why the targeting of Down syndrome? And why now when our society is becoming more accepting and appreciative of who these individuals are?
Very ironic. On the one hand we teach children in school to be accepting, while urging moms to abort them. How would kids feel knowing their sibling was aborted because he had Down syndrome, even as they know a kid at school or have a cousins with Down syndrome and are being taught to respect and love them?
This drive for more testing - as well as and the ethics of members of the medical profession who urge abortion - raises so many questions.
Posted in Disabilities, Down syndrome | Permalink
Comments
I discovered that 90% abortion statistic while I was doing some research and reading the book, Jewel, a few months ago. The rest of the day I walked around in a haze, total disbelief that 9 out of ten women would choose to abort after a diagnosis of Down syndrome. My first ultrasound with this current baby came back with some concerns that he might have DS, but after a level 2 ultrasound, he looked good. He will be born soon, and we'll see. I wouldn't think of killing him if he turned out to have a problem, but what unrest these (sometimes false) diagnoses can put in a mother's heart! It makes me want to decline ultrasounds if we have any more babies. Because of how wrong diagnoses can mess with my mind, and because of how the medical community has to treat me when they think they know of a problem (offering abortion).
Posted by: Valerie@Consider It Done | July 26, 2007 9:51 AM
I was offered an abortion with baby #2 because hubby and I where having marital problems. We're good now but what if I'd taken the nurse up on her offer in my moment of distress? Is there a time or a pregnancy when the doctor or nurse doesn't offer an abortion?
Posted by: Alison | July 26, 2007 1:01 PM
Keep sounding the alarm, and exposing the hypocrisy toward our defining blessings...
Posted by: Jill S | July 26, 2007 5:24 PM
I'm fifteen weeks pregnant with my fourth child, and I'm under 30, so not considered "at risk". I signed the paper that said I don't want the test for Down Syndrome, at my initial appointment. They have offered it anyway at every appointment since, stating that they have to offer it until the 16th week, just to be sure I'm sure. I feel a bit harassed, to be honest. My midwife understood perfectly and agreed with my position that I will take what God gives me, and happily. The nurses however, don't seem to.
Posted by: Vida | July 27, 2007 11:38 AM
