Inside the country where Down syndrome is disappearing [TR]

CBS News ^ | August 14, 2017 | JULIAN QUINONES, ARIJETA LAJKA

[EdnaMode]

With the rise of prenatal screening tests across Europe and the United States, the number of babies born with Down syndrome has significantly decreased, but few countries have come as close to eradicating Down syndrome births as Iceland.

Since prenatal screening tests were introduced in Iceland in the early 2000s, the vast majority of women -- close to 100 percent -- who received a positive test for Down syndrome terminated their pregnancy.

While the tests are optional, the government states that all expectant mothers must be informed about availability of screening tests, which reveal the likelihood of a child being born with Down syndrome. Around 80 to 85 percent of pregnant women choose to take the prenatal screening test, according to Landspitali University Hospital in Reykjavik.

"CBSN: On Assignment" headed to Iceland with CBS News correspondent Elaine Quijano to investigate what's factoring into the high termination rates.

Using an ultrasound, blood test and the mother's age, the test, called the Combination Test, determines whether the fetus will have a chromosome abnormality, the most common of which results in Down syndrome. Children born with this genetic disorder have distinctive facial issues and a range of developmental issues. Many people born with Down syndrome can live full, healthy lives, with an average lifespan of around 60 years.

Other countries aren't lagging too far behind in Down syndrome termination rates. According to the most recent data available, the United States has an estimated termination rate for Down syndrome of 67 percent (1995-2011); in France it's 77 percent (2015); and Denmark, 98 percent (2015). The law in Iceland permits abortion after 16 weeks if the fetus has a deformity -- and Down syndrome is included in this category.

[snowtigger]

I ave know hundreds of Downs people. They were every single one an absolute blessing for their families. The death of these magnificent people is the murder of angels.

I have not known as many, but from the few I have known, You are right. Loving, truthful and as gentle as lambs.

[ALongRoadAhead]

Beat me to the punch. I’ve taken flak for this but the only way to stop the horrible suffering for genetic disorders is to stop them at the source - just not via abortion. It’s a hard choice but the science is firm on it. You’re basically stopping people from building with blueprints that are screwed up; stop them all and there are no more screwed up blueprints to worry about.

But Downs is a different animal. ANYONE can potentially have a Downie. You cannot stop it like you can albinoism or any number of other genetic issues that can be traced and isolated.