Where do we draw the line?
This article broke my heart:
Until this year, only pregnant women 35 and older were routinely tested to see if their fetuses had the extra chromosome that causes Down syndrome. As a result many couples were given the diagnosis only at birth. But under a new recommendation from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, doctors have begun to offer a new, safer screening procedure to all pregnant women, regardless of age.
About 90 percent of pregnant women who are given a Down syndrome diagnosis have chosen to have an abortion.
Did you catch that statistic? 90 percent?
I think it is a clear indication of some serious societal problems. As the article goes on to say:
...As prenatal tests become available for a range of other perceived genetic imperfections, they may also be heralding a broader cultural skirmish over where to draw the line between preventing disability and accepting human diversity.Everyone is all about accepting human "diversity" when it comes to things like homosexuality, but a baby born with Down's? No, we don't want that kind of diversity.
As someone who spent a great deal of time tutoring a young girl with Down's syndrome in my teens, I know first-hand that these children take a lot of extra special love and work, but they are also so incredibly talented and open up the world to you in a whole new light. Just because they are different, does not mean they are any less of a person.
I think that medical testing for various things while in the womb can be a wonderful thing - as in the case of babies who can now receive medical attention or even surgery while in the womb to save their lives. But where do we draw the line when it comes to things like screening for disabilities?
Do we truly believe that children - all children - are the "heritage of the Lord"? Or is it only children who are "normal"?
Hat-tip to Father Nelson.
posted by Crystal Paine at 9:05 AM
25 Comments:
I've thought long and hard about the subjects of pre-screening and eugenics. Many of the prenatal tests carry a 82-98% accuracy rate, which in my mind is still kind of scary. Since they're not 100% accurate, can you think of how many parents could be aborting thier child who could possibly NOT have Down Syndrome?
Even if one has a "normal child" at birth, whose to say that child won't get into a car accident,contract cancer,have diabeties,get involved in drugs,become pregnant at 13, or be diagnosed with autism. Each of these scenarios carry great emotional, physcial and mental strength on the part of the parents. Would they then say "Man, if I knew this would have happened, I would have aborted my child?"
Eugenics is a very scary subject; the thought of creating a perfect human being. Pro-choicers refuse to acknowledge a link between the Holocaust/Aryan race and modern day abortion; but it's the mentality that is the same.
A perfect race; A perfect child?
Sigh, but I don't think we can do anything regarding prenatal testing. We can't take away a good thing because people are doing bad things as a result( like China and India where gender screening is heavily restricted. The rate of infanticide is up because of it.) It is sad isn't it?
As Christians we can pray and continue standing up for the defense of life.
Aisha
I read a similar statistic a few weeks ago, and was absolutely stunned. That would be nine out of every ten women, with a DS diagnosis. And that is just a diagnosis, which sometimes is actually wrong, and the baby is normal.
Have mercy on us all.
Yes you are right... this is scary (actually I'm not sure that's the word you used... but it's the one I'm using now...:):):):))
But I was wondering... because you mentioned homosexuality... what if there turned out to be some genetic or hormonal cause of sexual orientation??? Now I don't think that this will make you think that homosexuality isn't wrong... that something is natural doesn't have to make it right (though I don't think it's wrong but that's not what this is about)... The Bible says it is wrong... and it is the Bible you believe. But what if doctors would be able to see that your baby was a gay baby... what would you do??? (I know this is a what if scenario... but really... what if???)... what if this sexual orientation couldn't be changed... what would you do???... I guess you would keep the child... but how would you raise it???...
What if homosexuality isn't a choice??? What are Christians to do???
Having the image of God is God's normal looking at "normal" through the lens of the Word of God at the time of creation. Should those that had not the image of God have been aborted(i.e. everyone born in Adam without the image of God given those in Christ)? That should make ALL physical "abnormalities" pale in comparison and cause pause, it should.
Anonymous: Dr. Mohler talked about homosexuality and the possible biological causation on the radio last week. He might have more information on his website. Essentially he was saying just because we have a biological drive, doesn't mean we don't have a choice to either follow it or resist it.
MR
I've heard from my midwife that this test is only about 35-30% accurate, by the way. That saddens me even more, when 90% of people given that test choose abortion.
My mother-in-law has been given this test for her last 3 babies, and every time it came back positive. She has been told abortion was her best option, but of course she said no. All three babies are beautiful, healthy, and definitely NOT Down's Syndrome!
~Jordan~
Anonymous: I'm not sure what viewpoint you are coming from, but from my study of Scripture, I believe that God created male and female. Nothing else. I also believe that God created sex only to be between a married man and woman. Anything else is perversion.
Homosexuality is a perversion of God's design. It is sin. Period. People can try to explain it away as all sorts of different things, but I believe the Scriptures are clear on this.
Therefore, in light of this and because I believe homosexuality is not something one is "born as," but a perverse and sinful behavior one chooses to engage in, your questions are not even something I would consider. Make sense?
I was one of the cases where the DS tests were wrong. This was in the late 1970's. My parents chose to keep me because of their faith that God would bless the child no matter the diagnosis. I am so grateful they did! BTW, the Dr. told my mother just after I was born, "You have a perfect little girl!" surprise...
Crystal,
Thank you for this post; I have been blessed to know several people with Down syndrome, who with care and attention managed to become contributing members of society and a blessing for their families.
I took Developmental Psychology last year and was honored to be taught by a wonderful professor who works with disabled children. She told us stories that broke my heart, like for example a RELIGIOUS family who gave up their Down Syndrome child for adoption because they "didn't want people to think something is wrong with the other children" (!!!)
Each soul has a unique purpose. Each soul is precious.
And you're right how this idea of perfection is dangerous... I've heard cases when women aborted because their child had cleft palate or another defect that can be corrected eventually.
While I believe screening is important, it should be done in order to enable parents to prepare for a child with special needs... not push them towards abortion.
a new life's comment sums up much of what I feel on this subject. The eugenics background of the pro-choice movement is beyond disturbing and exists no matter how much pro-choicers would like to deny it.
I personally refused the quad screen with my last pregnancy and will refuse with all future pregnancies, unless I feel led to do so by God, of course. One of the midwives at my practice was quite nasty about our refusing this test. I would have never have an abortion, nor would I be willing to risk an amino to prove or disprove what the quad screen said, so we decided the screen was pretty pointless for us. Both my husband and me know that the Lord would lead us to get the screen should our child have a medical condition that might be corrected with surgery while in the womb or shortly after the birth.
Jordan raises an important point about the inaccuracy of the genetic testing. We came across a 70% failure rate with certain screens when we were doing our research on this matter. Genetic testing is frightening enough as is, but when many medical professionals are not being upfront, honest, and accurate in this success/failure rate of their technologies, this causes an even larger problem.
The thought of aborting "imperfect" children terrifies me and really makes me wonder what sick thing our society might undertake next. If "imperfect" children are not good enough to live, what will happen to disabled people or the elderly who do not "contribute" enough to society for certain group's tastes? Living in a society that does not value life is very frightening.
anonymous, one does not look at the Bible through the lens of what the fallible creation may say(in other words, doctors very well may miss the mark) as being absolute authority ~ one should look at what creation says through the lens of what the infallible God says is absolute truth.
Read Romans 1:18-32. Downs Syndrome and the like are not listed as acts of unrighteousness ~ however, sexual immorality ~ dishonoring of the body via use of choice against nature does make it to the list of actions. Even in the event of hormonal shifts ~ one is not blameless in wrong choices that go against God's perfect design(i.e. menopause is not a valid excuse for sinful behavior).
Why take on the role of God when humans are not the One Who opens or closes the womb when it comes to conception and length of life in the first place?
I was not able to bear my own children. My husband and I prayed, as Hannah, for a child. Finally we were able to adopt twin boys from foster care. They were removed as 2 1/2, unable to speak, mild CP, fetal alcohol syndrom, drug abuse before birth, and malnutrition before and after birth. We were only able to adopt these boys at 7 1/2 because we had to wait for the state of PA to terminate the birth parents rights.
At 7 1/2 they only weighed 40 lbs. Very small and underweight. The foster family had cared but not worked hard with them. We knew God was able to do great things!
We brought them home and went to work. We were told at adoption to prepare to care for them the rest of their lives . One son was retarded and the other learning disabled due mainly to the birth mother's abuse. But our children's lives had value in our eyes and God's, who had given them life!
We home school our sons and they are now young men at 15 1/2! They function at a 7 grade level, they read above their grade level, and memorize scripture, poetry, and write short stories, reports, and essays, with a little assistance. They are very friendly and sociable young men whom we are so proud !
NEVER underestimate what God can do! With prayer, hard work, and persistance, anything can happen. We prayed for one blessing and got two! God is truely GOOD!!!!!!
Ruth, PA
I think any mother considering the abortion of her DS child should read Angels Behind the Rocking Chair: Stories of Hope in Unexpected Places by Pam Vredevelt and Changed by a Child by Barbara Gill.
-Jenna
I believe in the dignity and worth of all human beings. And I believe they all have the right to live. Scared and confused Mothers should look to the example of Mary Jesus's mom for inspiration. She was alone and afraid. Yet she took the challange that God laid before her. By the way, being a nurse I can tell you that the latest teaching on the triple check or alpha fetal protien test (the test I believe you speak of Crystal) isn't always accurate. I was fourtunate to have a female OBGYN that told me her opinion was those tests were pointless and she opted to not have them at all.
I agree that this is horrifying. And it leaves me wondering where we will draw the line in 10, 20, 30 years.
I used to help care for a boy who suffered from mental and physical handicaps due to radiation he received as a child for a brain tumor.
So my question is if we are willing to abort babies before birth who have disabilities, who's to say that eventually our society just won't "get rid" of everyone who has disabilites, regardless of whether they were born with them or not?
A very slippery slope....
When I was pregnant at 38 the doctor MADE us go to see a "Genetic Counselor". We sat there through all the risks, percentages, etc. just to tell them that it didn't matter to us. They were shocked that we didn't even want the tests. Things like this are so sad.
I have three children,they are 7,5,and 2. My youngest has Down Syndrome. When I first heard about this my heart broke. Not only for the souls lost, but for the lives they could have touched. I am constantly asked if I knew before she was born, I didn't. We did know that something could be "wrong", but chose not to have any tests done because of risks to Kaitlin. People also want to know if we are "done". No, we are happy to recieve any and all blessings the Lord wishes to give to us.
That is a heartbreaking statistic.
I read a wonderful editorial article in The Dallas Morning News a few months ago. It was written by a woman who has a daughter with Down's Syndrome. She recounted an experience she had at a playground when her daughter was a toddler. Another mom saw her child and shook her head saying that the kid should have been aborted. Naturally, that hurt her mother profoundly.
The point of the article was that DS kids have plenty of value. She stated all the ways her family has learned from her daughter, and she went on to say all the things her daughter is accomplishing as an adult. It was truly a beautiful article. I was going to link to it, but I can't find it. :-(
Sadly, a few days later, a letter was printed in the paper in response to that article. The letter writer basically said that there was no way the author's daughter's life had any significant value. It was sickening to read. I sincerely hope that is not the attitude of most people these days. All life has value.
I'm a health care professional who is very involved in this issue and completely on the Biblical pro-life side. However, I think as believers, it is importatnt to get the facts straight when discussing issues. Just to clarify: there is a difference between a screening test (like the triple screen, aka "the AFP test" for alpha fetoprotein) and a diagnostic test (like amniocentesis). The triple screen is just that-a screen. It is meant to find people who are at increased risk of carrying a baby with a chromosome disorder such as Down Syndrome. That means that many poeple will have a positive screen, but a very small number of these will actually have Down Syndrome. It's like narrowing down a search to see who should consider an amniocentesis. The triple, AFP, or quad screen is not meant to tell you if your baby has the condition or not-just that you are at increased risk. The amniocentesis test is over 99% accurate. Room for error exists in any test, but it is EXTREMELY small in an amniocentesis because the labs are very careful. I just think misinformation is easily spread about this and we should be careful to get the facts straight. :)
Thank you for blogging about this topic.......it is a form of Eugenic's and it needs to be discussed in the public, not hidden like a dark secret.
Peace,
Tara Marie, proud Momma to a four amazing children, one who just happens to be sporting an extra chromosome.
Wow. That really shocked me. I know it would pose challenges to raise a child with Down's Syndrome, but it's still YOUR child. *sigh*
Sherry
This was truly heart breaking! How sad.
Thank you for sharing. This will be added to my prayers.
God Bless,
JEN
I've heard this statistic before – truly heartbreaking. :(
In regards to the homosexuality question – I agree with Crystal that homosexual behavior is very wrong. However, I don’t think we can be absolutely positive that it’s not genetic. Isn’t it possible that God could “give” some people homosexuality as a cross, in the same way that people are born with handicaps and disabilities? Of course that wouldn’t justify people acting on their homosexual desires, but it’s homosexual *behavior* that’s sinful, not the orientation itself. I don’t think it really matters what causes homosexuality. Maybe people are born that way, maybe they become that way through their experiences, or maybe some people are born with a predisposition towards homosexuality that may or may not be activated depending on their experiences (in the same way some people might be born with a predisposition towards heart disease but not necessarily get it if they eat right and exercise.)
Anyway, if it turned out there was a gay gene that could be detected before birth, I guarantee you Christians would be the only ones standing up for the right of these children to be born. Many so-called liberals would “compassionately” abort their homosexual babies because they wouldn’t want to bring their children into a world of prejudice or whatever.
I'll try to condense this, so it won't be too long)
In 1996, I had my first ultrasound with my first pregnany. the next day, I was told our daughter had CDH (Chronic Diaphragmatic Hernia). A 2nd doctor confirmed this. A 3rd as well. The 3rd Dr. was practicing at a very well known and well thought of hospital. He was very unprofessional. He went straight into abortion. He just assumed that we would agree. Kill our baby so that she wouldn't die shortly after birth?? Sorry I don't get that!!
I asked the doctor about something I had seen just before we left the hotel to go to the hospital. Inutero surgery (It was on Good Morning America). He said no it isn't done in Canada, so it wasn't an option. He seemed irratated that I would even ask.
Well I am stubborn! I called the Children's hospital in Philadelphia where the doctor I saw on TV worked. He called me back that evening.
We went for an assessment. And then went to Philly for what would turn out to be a 3 month stay. We didn't know how we would pay for everything. We applied to our Canadian Medicare system for help as it was not something availabe in Canada. We trusted God and just as we were leaving to go to the US, we got the call that the Canadian gov would cover it. Praise God!
My baby was operated on while I was 26 wks pregnant, and delivered at 34wks. She was beautiful! :o) Everything was going well until she got an infection that shut her organs down. She passed away at 28 days old.
Those are 28 days we wouldn't have had if we had given up. 28 days to tell her how much we love her. 28 days we will treasure.
So know she is asleep in Jesus. What a wonderful reunion it will be when He returns for us and raises the dead from their rest.
I know some wonderful children and people with DS, I know it cannot be easy for the parents, but I remember reading several testimonies in a Charity magazine of how blessed each family was by their child that happened to have DS.
I just think of how this was a long time ago in Germany (and other countries) when Hitler took over and how people were destroyed simply because they were not of as much value or were simply used as experiments because they had handicaps or other issues.
I heard recently that sometimes people said when a person had an extra XYY, they believed it caused violence, but as far I know, they have not proven that, but because people assume it they often were violent. Sometimes people can say they were born to be a homosexual, but the power of suggestion has alot to do with it and the way you are taught as you grow.
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