Down Syndrome and the Pressure to Abort

Zenit News Agenc ^ | March 9, 2006 | Elizabeth Schlitz

[NYer]

"Soon it will be a sin for parents to have a child that carries the heavy burden of genetic disease. We are entering a world where we have to consider the quality of our children."

I recently encountered this 'mentality' while collecting donations for a baby born with a genetic disorder that required immediate surgery. The office was comprised totally of democratic constituents. They gave not one dime. Meanwhile, the adjacent office, comprised of republicans, not only contributed to the child's surgery but also adopted her family and provided them with everything on their Christmas wish list.

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[SamAdams76]

Should people who know they are having a baby with Downs Syndrome be allowed to abort?

[Screamname]

I would not be opposed to liberals having abortions......

"If we can`t route them out, we`ll breed them out."

[edpc]

Q: Why do you think it has become socially acceptable to abort a child with Down syndrome? Schiltz: Because, unfortunately, it has become socially acceptable to abort any baby who disappoints the expectations of the baby's parents for any reason, as the increasingly common practice of sex-selection abortion indicates.

If they ever do find a "gay gene", people may terminate pregnancies based on that. I wonder what libs will do since they support abortions and gay rights. Quite a dilemma.

[cvq3842]

I think I'm speechless.

[Gordongekko909]

Don't forget mothers who abort every daughter they produce, looking for a son. You think the feminists will be able to bite their tongues and sit on their hands for that? They have so far...

[Chickensoup]

Disabled babies also come with very attractive stipends from the state and federal government.

[AuH2ORepublican]

Great article. Thanks for posting.

[gondramB]

"Many prospective parents are waiting for years to adopt children with Down syndrome, according to a recent article in the Associated Press."

Why would so many people be specially waiting to try get a child with Down's syndrome?

[RobbyS]

Eugenics is back.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

I wonder what libs will do since they support abortions and gay rights.

They support gay rights and militant Islam, yet don't think it much of a contradiction.

[wagglebee]

I've known several people with Down's; they have more than a normal amount of emotional problems, but these are easily treated with counseling and medication. Generally they are very kind and loving people -- it is sickening that people would want to murder them.

[Graybeard58]

my grand daughter was diagnosed as carrying a Down's baby, the perfectly normal result of her pregnancy can be seen by clicking my screen name.

[RobbyS]

People are willing to accept a Down's syndrome child.

[Fishing-guy]

I have a Catholic friend who avoided getting a amniocentesis, even though she was in the high risk group, just because of this dilemma.

[RobbyS]

Beautiful babe. Yeah, they get it wrong too often.