Choosing Your Children?

I'm an avid reader of of the Freakonomics blog run by the best-selling writers of the book Freakonomics. This past week, they covered a topic I find startling. The New York Times reports that as more prenatal tests for Down Syndrome are administered an alarming trend has surfaced. As many as ninety percent of mothers whose unborn children have Down Syndrome choose to abort their pregnancy. As a parent with child who has a somewhat similar genetic disorder, I find that absolutely shocking! And I'm not the only one.

Parents raising children with Down Syndrome are working together to inform these would-be mothers about the positive aspects of raising a disabled child in an effort to overcome the fear that seems to be driving the astronomical abortion rate. They're helping these potential parents understand that there is more to their upcoming child than developmental and health problems. There is a richness in these childrens' lives that cannot be measured or weighed by simply looking at imperfections in their genes.

As more tests for more genetic conditions become available during pregnancy, will more parents choose to not have these children? The question becomes, should we be able to choose our children? One mother had this to say, “It isn’t about abortion politics or religion, it’s a pure ethical question.” How do we better inform parents under these conditions? What will happen to tolerance and acceptance for children born with genetic disorders if they become so much less common?

Obviously, I don't have the answers to these questions, but news like this does make me eager to be an even more vocal advocate of the fulfillment of raising a disabled child. I can personally attest to the fact that there is no joy like helping a little one with challenges to reach their full potential.

Have questions or want to discuss this further? Please feel free to comment. I'd love to hear others' perspectives.