Read about how our society desires to do away with the differently-abled.
‘I think we have to be honest about the fact that a determination of Down syndrome very early in a pregnancy is very likely going to be accompanied by pressure to terminate a pregnancy, and that’s been the experience of most of the families that are connected to the Canadian Down Syndrome Society.’
The story indicates we may soon be able to get rid of them earlier. Sooner. Faster. More expediently. Achtung.
(courtesy of The Shotgun.)
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Brigitte says wait a minute: This news story talks about such tests as “medical advancements”. But the only “treatment” I can see is termination. What kind of medicine is it that considers killing the patient earlier and more effectively “progress”?
by 
This is very scary indeed. As if the current abortion rate after a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome isn’t high enough. Will this bring it to 100%? Many women (myself included) eschew prenatal testing since we wouldn’t do anything about the results anyway – as in terminate pregnancies.
The children and young people whom I have met with Down syndrome are some of the most affectionate, spirited and determined people I know. My friend’s daughter who has Down syndrome had two part-time jobs during high school, while my own “able” son the same age couldn’t have been bothered with even one job.
There is so much fear attached to this diagnosis. Are we as a society still so afraid of people who are different, so afraid of challenges and potential difficulties that we have to rid our world of children whose only crime is having an extra chromosome? This world needs everyone – especially children who move us out of our comfort zones and require a bit more love and energy. The parents of children with Down syndrome that I know see their children as great gifts to their families. Every single one of them. One fellow, after having four “able” children- sorry, but I am still looking for the right adjective – said that he was grateful for the gift of their child with Down syndrome because it taught the whole family how to love. Isn’t that what we want for our society? We need more loving, compassionate, unselfish people in this world. (Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox now.)
By the way – that is a gorgeous photo! You just want to kiss those cheeks.
Beautiful photo to illustrate this issue. Where will we be as a society if we continue to pursue the idea that only “wanted” children should be born? Wanted will increasingly be defined as the “right to choose” only “perfect” children. Want a blue-eyed boy with a certain number of chromosomes and lacking the gay gene ?
I think it is increasingly urgent to inform and educate about the immorality of abortion, as the sophistication of genetic testing is increasing rapidly. I fear for a future of designer babies.
I really enjoy how this blog does not take an overly-religious tone and illustrates that religion is not necessary whatsoever in proving that abortion is morally wrong. When i try and get through to fellow women who are fearful and brainwashed by the “feminist” talking points vis-a-vis choice, I always direct them to a National Geographic video online entitled “In the Womb”. Scientifically-speaking, a zygote, fetus, embryo etc. is a genetically-distinct individual with a beating heart. This is the line of argumentation that I prefer, as I believe it speaks to the greatest number of people.
The US Senate has recently addressed part of this problem by passing a bill to ensure that parents of Downs Syndrome ‘expected’ babies have full access to information on how to care for the babies, and where to receive help. This is much better than the Canadian approach of laying a guilt trip on the parents, and making them feel that if they ‘choose’ to proceed with the pregnancy – they ‘choose’ to do it on their own.
‘ProEcclesia ProFamilia ProCivitate’ has links to several stories on this subject, including the moving story of Senator Brownback’s speech .
Hello,
I was wondering if I could get permission to use this photo in a graduate thesis. It will not be published. The paper will only be reviewed by a professor.
Thanks for your time and help.
What a beautiful baby!
A very dear friend of mine is pregnant and her baby girl has downs. At first hearing the news you have concerns. A good parent wants the best for their kids, that’s natural. But after that you realize that this little girl is still a wonderful gift that will bring you so much joy. I like what Suzanne A. said about her able child. Children regardless of ablity or lack of are blessings and you never really know what you get. To judge someone by the package they come in is wrong and hateful. If science wants to allow people to have designer babies then why not just bring back Hitler. The future in not known for anyone. My children that are considered perfect in the eyes of the public could get sick with any number of things or could be injured in some type of accident that would leave them disabled. What then….? Life is not ours to take, but ours to live. And if we could all try and live it with love this world would be a better place.