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If the Test Says Down Syndrome
http://www.washingtonpost.com ^

Posted on 11/29/2007 9:56:15 AM PST by marthemaria

All across the land this fall, people have been gathering to promote awareness and acceptance of Down syndrome. Central to their message is the idea that people with the condition are valued family members who lead happy, fulfilling lives. At the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, scientists have been meeting to develop research agendas to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome, the genetic condition that results when a person has three copies of the 21st chromosome instead of the usual pair. But in the places where medicine is practiced, a very different and less benevolent awareness of Down syndrome reigns. As a result of recent changes in technology and standards of care, women are undergoing prenatal diagnostics for Down syndrome in unprecedented numbers -- often multiple times during their pregnancies. When the condition is detected, they are having abortions at rates that are thought to approach 90 percent. Those of us who actually have relationships with people with Down syndrome, and who see them achieving and thriving in their communities, view this paradox as baffling at best, tragic at worst. We cherish our friends and family members and think their unexpected extra chromosome is not the most important thing about them. And we worry that the relentlessness of genetic testing is amplifying stigma and bias against the 350,000 flesh-and-blood Americans who have the condition, as well as people who have other conditions that are now or soon will be prenatally discoverable. In recent conversations with obstetricians and gynecologists, I've found that we family members aren't the only ones with these fears. Physicians say they're disturbed by mounting demands from prospective parents for nothing less than the "perfect" child,. ..

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bioethics; downssyndrome; downsyndrome; eugenics; medicalethics
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To: marthemaria

Our doctor told us it was all about legal CYA.


21 posted on 11/29/2007 11:41:07 AM PST by Scarchin (+)
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To: Nonstatist

Here’s a study that will never be allowed, much less funded:

What is the correlation of childhood sexual abuse and post-pubescent homosexuality?

The common sense results of this are negative indications of a “gay gene”.


22 posted on 11/29/2007 11:42:09 AM PST by MrB (You can't reason people out of a position that they didn't use reason to get into in the first place)
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To: madconservative

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1125biz-genetest1125.html

This is another interesting story on this.Some of the comments are pretty shocking .


23 posted on 11/29/2007 11:42:31 AM PST by marthemaria
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To: Scotswife

The very idea that a child with Downs is less worthy than any other is repugnant. I have a wonderful, fabulous niece with Downs. She is a family favorite. She is happy, healthy and has a wonderful sense of humor. It doesn’t get any better than Elaine.


24 posted on 11/29/2007 11:45:33 AM PST by Conservativegreatgrandma
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To: HamiltonJay

This is a travesty. These children are blessings.


25 posted on 11/29/2007 11:46:45 AM PST by Conservativegreatgrandma
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To: HamiltonJay

A home can be found for this child. Besides, tests are not 100%.


26 posted on 11/29/2007 11:47:49 AM PST by Conservativegreatgrandma
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To: adopt4Christ

God bless you!!!!!!!


27 posted on 11/29/2007 11:49:00 AM PST by Conservativegreatgrandma
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To: HamiltonJay

“I know of a woman right now who is pregnant and the children has Down’s. She has offer the child for adoption, but if no one steps up she will abort.”

I sure hope this woman didn’t stop at just the first test, which gives a lot of false positives. There are further tests that are more accurate.


28 posted on 11/29/2007 11:51:26 AM PST by gracesdad
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To: yellowdoghunter
When my daughter was pregant, they did a certain test. I'll never forget the day my daughter called crying hysterically. The test showed something was wrong with the baby.

Shame on them for even doing the test. There was nothing wrong. Another mom may have oborted the child.

29 posted on 11/29/2007 11:51:32 AM PST by Conservativegreatgrandma
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To: Conservativegreatgrandma

I worked with a wonderful woman who couldn’t have children of her own so she adopted them.
At one point she became aware that Down’s babies were being routinely institutionalized as soon as they were born (this was in the 60’s)
She thought how sad for these children to never even be taken home by their parents. So she adopted one out of the institution and has treated him like royalty ever since.


30 posted on 11/29/2007 11:53:15 AM PST by Scotswife
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To: marthemaria

I suppose there is one of from the “other side of the fence” in every crowd, as evidenced by this post:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1593546/posts?page=134#134

(#134 in case you get lost)


31 posted on 11/29/2007 11:54:57 AM PST by GOP_Raider (Television is all Tommy Westphall's fault, damn it!)
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To: Red Badger
Just wait til they find a “gay” chromosome or gene sequence....................

XX = Female
XY = Male
KY = ????

32 posted on 11/29/2007 11:55:37 AM PST by Eaker (If illegal immigrants were so great for an economy; Mexico would be building a wall to keep them in)
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To: n230099

Algore? I don’t pay that much attention to his speeches, but making fun of those with Down Syndrome? Ouch. I would wonder how this clashes with his DUmmie audiences’ notions on sensitivity and tolerance, but that would presume the DU are a thinking bunch.


33 posted on 11/29/2007 11:55:51 AM PST by fortunecookie (Communism/socialism has failed millions, it wasn't right for them - and it isn't right for US.)
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To: fortunecookie

Oh, it was OK, because he was referring to conservatives as “the extra chromosome crowd”.

It’s also OK when a leftist demeans people, races, etc, because they aren’t racist or meanspirited when they do it.


34 posted on 11/29/2007 11:58:53 AM PST by MrB (You can't reason people out of a position that they didn't use reason to get into in the first place)
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To: Resolute Conservative
What good comes from knowing things like this up front?

No 'good' comes from it. But it's so the parents can abort. Forget the obvious disconnect between the left's ideas on tolerance and acceptance and the eugenics at work here.

And - it feeds the abortion machine that funds the Dems! Can't slow down that money train...

35 posted on 11/29/2007 11:59:30 AM PST by fortunecookie (Communism/socialism has failed millions, it wasn't right for them - and it isn't right for US.)
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To: madconservative
The doctor actually lectured my wife on the irresponsibility of having a child with Down Syndrome

How badly did you beat the doctor?

36 posted on 11/29/2007 12:01:17 PM PST by Eaker (If illegal immigrants were so great for an economy; Mexico would be building a wall to keep them in)
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To: RichInOC

Good ‘un.


37 posted on 11/29/2007 12:02:21 PM PST by Mr. Lucky
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To: Scotswife

These are God’s children, too and his commandment to not kill also extends to them. Woe be to anyone who harms one of God’s children.


38 posted on 11/29/2007 12:04:21 PM PST by Conservativegreatgrandma
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To: MrB

As a parent of a gay man, I will tell you that was not the case...and of the many gay clients I have was not the case. I am a real estate agent.


39 posted on 11/29/2007 12:05:57 PM PST by DooDahhhh
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To: MrB
Oh, that's right, thanks for the reminder! I hear a recent study found exciting new results - conservatism is a disorder and can be cured or maybe just aborted.

It’s also OK when a leftist demeans people, races, etc, because they aren’t racist or meanspirited when they do it.

Well, they are superior. And trying to help us or keep us from hindering them. And we just don't 'get it', you know, because of our deficiencies. /s

;-)

40 posted on 11/29/2007 12:09:28 PM PST by fortunecookie (Communism/socialism has failed millions, it wasn't right for them - and it isn't right for US.)
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