In the past decade, births of babies with Down syndrome has fallen to levels 19% below the anticipated rate (Wortelboer et al, 2000). Birth prevalence of Down syndrome among the highest class have dropped significantly, whereas in the lower classes it has remained virtually unchanged. Thanks to utilization of technology to identify and abort babies with this condition, we have now made Down syndrome a phenomena of socioeconomic status (Khoshnood et al, 2006). In Australia, 75% of babies thought to have Down syndrome based on prenatal blood tests are aborted (Cheffins et al, 2000). The question is not whether or not this information should horrify and shame us as a society. The question is, how now to best support those parents who continue a pregnancy with a difficult prognosis? How to support these delightful children in our communities, as they become a rarity? And what of the children with other diagnoses that make them "eligible for termination", even in late pregnancy?? My own Amelia is one of them - she was diagnosed with spina bifida when I was 5 months along, and we were told we could terminate that day, without even the assurance of repeat testing. I post this here because I need a soap box to stand on! This came across my desk as I was researching preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and I am horrified, shamed, appalled, shocked, heartbroken. Here is one family's story of courage:
References:
Cheffins, T., Chan, A., Haan, E.A., Ranieri, E., Ryall, R.G., Keane, R.J. et al (2000). The impact of maternal serum screening on the birth prevalence of Down's syndrome and the use of amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling in South Australia. British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 107 (12), 1453-1459.
Khoshnood, B., De Vigan, C., Vodovar, V., Breart, G., Goffinet, F., & Blondel, B. (2006). Advances in medical technology and creation of disparities: the case of Down syndrome. . American Journal of Public Health, 96 (12), 2139-2144.
Wortelboer, J.M., De Wolf, T.H.M., Verschuuren-Bemelmans, C.C., Reefhuis, J., Mantingh, A., Beekhuis, J.R., & Cornel, M.C. (2000). Trends in live birth prevalence of Down syndrome in the Northern Netherlands 1987-96 : the impact of screening and prenatal diagnosis. Prenatal Diagnosis, 20 (9), 709-713.
3 comments:
I think this is so sad! I don't understand how rational people can kill a baby who has an elevated risk of a disability. I'm excited about the possibility that God may trust me with a son or daughter with special needs! It's just part of His plan.
Ben, I think the key word is "rational" - we were designed to be much more than rational!!
This makes me so sad that as a progressive society we value human life so little especially if it's not "perfect." It's why I don't have any additional testing done when pg except for the big u/s. My first dr said the main point of those tests is so people can abort if they want to. He told us he doesn't recomment those test to anyone who isn't willing to abort. So we've never taken them since we would never abort a child.
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