[Dr. Sivana]

There is a problem with doctors pushing abortion. A recent "wrongful birth" suit for millions provides a reason doctors may feel under pressure to do so, though it doesn't justify it.

That said, the words "mentally retarded" taken out of the context of kids' name-calling in school is descripitive. Is a Downs' child's mental capability retarded, kept at a lower level than it should be? Of course it is. It doesn't say the child is evil, or unloving (quite the opposite with Downs), or worthless. It is just saying that learning will come slower and harder for him, and with a lower ceiling.

One might say that would be fine except for the fact that the expression has been used for taunting. Yes, and when those are blacklisted, new terms take their place, "riding the short bus", for instance. Just like "handicapped" became "disabled" became "differently-abled", etc., doesn't fix the problem, it just makes everything harder to describe.

If the doctor said the child will be a "retard", that is clearly different, as it makes his essential characteristic out of his handicap, as opposed to simply providing part of a medical description of his health (Downs' kids often have heart conditions, etc., too).

For the record, I have a Downs' brother-in-law, who is a joy to the family. He is mentally retarded, though we have no need to discuss it.

Our world is a sadder place because so many Downs' children are killed instead of loved.

[alexander_busek]

es, and when those are blacklisted, new terms take their place, "riding the short bus", for instance. Just like "handicapped" became "disabled" became "differently-abled", etc., doesn't fix the problem, it just makes everything harder to describe.

You are absolutely correct!

And before there was "handicapped," it was "crippled." Each new expression seems to have a half-life of about twenty years.

Regards,