Down's Syndrome

[niemeyjt]

NIPT was not available in our era, but now it is possible to determine whether an embryo has trisomy 21 - Down's syndrome.

As a result, we could be seeing the last generation of Down's syndrome children.

On the one hand we hear Richard Dawkins saying it is now ‘immoral’ to bring a child with Down’s syndrome into the world. Others claim it is a step down the road to eugenics.

We never had to make the call - after a scare the amnio for no 3 was clear - so not sure what I would have done. I would probably err towards Dawkins's view.

Other views?

source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/life ... -children/

[MAD87]

I have a cousin who is "Down's", now in his mid-50s. I remember what his parents went through during his first 20 years (think difficult and multiply by 100) but they took him all over the world and fortunately had the means to care for him without worry but with oodles of love. His sister took over his care when his parents died. The state had (has?) no solutions, nor indeed help.

Despite all that, I wouldn't hesitate to urge any pregnant woman to have whatever test is available and an abortion if positive. It's a life sentence of constant physical and mental fatigue in an environment where a prejudiced society turns its collective back.

[Bayleaf]

It's a slippery slope though, isn't it? As more detail can be spotted early in pregnancy, if the foetus can be detected as having major problems, does it already exist that abortions are encouraged? I think my sister would have had this if her son with Edward's Syndrome had been positively detected in the womb earlier. By the time they realised there was a problem, it was far too late. Little Jack lived for three days, as his prognosis wasn't good. The hospital suggested keeping him in an incubator with lots of tubes attached, with the idea he could live for between six months and a couple of years. My sister and BIL had the painful decision of saying, no, just let nature take it's course, and I think Jack died my sister's arms. I think she would have got over an early abortion quicker than having to have gone through all that pain.

[Doug]

Here's the other side to it.
A couple we know in Kent were told that the expected baby had downs and advised an abortion which they refused.
The baby was born fine and healthy.

[Bayleaf]

Absolutely - it's an extremely difficult call.

[Pathca]

As the science improves the chances of that happening become less and less

[Blaze]

It's a difficult call particularly if morals come into it. Is it any more immoral knowingly to bring a handicapped child into the world than a disabled couple deciding to have children, who will ultimately become their carers, thus sacrificing their childhood ...?
People make decisions without having any idea of the long term consequences - how could they have any idea what to expect ? Would they listen to advice from professionals rather than well-meaning friends, or those who have been through it and can be more subjective ?
Many Down's children grow up to be very independent here in France - is the care better today ? Is the care different in France ?

I have had a fair amount of contact with mentally and physically handicapped children in France through riding for the disabled among other things. They are delightful and clearly the experience is something that touches them. The parents seem to enjoy it too.

Being with them for a short while is one thing, living with them is a different matter.