Comments on: Prenatal screening for autism nearer; Ethical questions raised

By: Cathy W.

Cathy W. — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:34:28 +0000

This is infuriating! It’s OK to terminate for Down syndrome, but it’s ethically questionable for autism because “it’s linked to talent”? Well let me tell you something, Prof. Baron-Cohen — my 7-year-old daughter with Down syndrome has plenty of talent! She has the talent of walking into a room and making every single person smile just by her presence. She has the talent of making her teachers beam with pride whenever she learns a new word or masters a new skill. She has the talent of not understanding or ever expressing prejudice because of the way someone looks or acts. She has the talent of teaching people to be more accepting and less fearful of disabilities when they see her laugh, run, dance and play. It’s a very sad and troubling day when the only value we place on a person is based on his or her IQ.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:36:28 +0000

This topic is both sad and scary and is in indication on our society’s lack of respect for human life.

Once we eliminate the Down syndrome and autism population, who’s next?

I think anyone who is considering termination because of a “flaw,” should meet my five-year-old daughter.

By: Renee Beauregard

Renee Beauregard — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:03:10 +0000

My son has a chromosome variation that has been part of a group of similar conditions that have gotten a “very bad rap” for a very long time. I am the point of contact for our organization when parents are considering termination.

While I did find the quote mentioned above offensive as well, the real controversy lies in expectant parents not receiving realistic, correct, information to make a decision about termination. I think the autism community has more “good rap” than our community has “bad rap” and that the public is fairly well informed about the positive sides of autism.

The real issue is about whether or not a parent is equipped to provide all that would be necessary to raise a child on a spectrum such as this. This is another issue I, too, deal with as my son’s condition has a spectrum.

In the end, people must have all the most up-to-date information about a condition to make these decisions — not some “Rain Man” movie or (as has been in our case) prison studies that have been discredited. This is going to be a losing battle now that this genie is out of the bottle — so it will be time to then make sure the public gets the “good side” as well. The rest is up to their beliefs, etc.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:52:46 +0000

This is outragous! Prenatal screening for autism — next it will be because the child is blind or deaf! It is bad enough that children with Down syndrome are terminated at a record 90% but now to actually say that some how even autism is better than DS. Give me a break!

I know three kids with autism and let me tell you, I’d take DS any day over autism. I thank God every day that i did not know my daughter had DS prior to her birth. Personally i think my daughter with DS is pretty darn smart and she has a great talent of engaging everyone she meets, so I guess she is “gifted” too.

By: Justin

Justin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:03:57 +0000

I’m afraid that in this case, the Down syndrome community’s collective outrage is only as useful as their willingness to act. While autism is approaching a crossroads (i.e. how to inform the public), the majority of people testing prenatally already terminate fetuses with Down syndrome.

The two communities may engage in the same conversation with doctors, patients, and the public at this time; however, the patients — and the public by extension — have already established the common attitude and course of action for prenatally diagnosed Down syndrome.

I feel the Down syndrome community stands to lose ground if the reaction to testing is any action that further distances the public, let alone doctors and researchers.

By: Nancy Iannone

Nancy Iannone — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:04:18 +0000

Could we be any more offensive? It’s OK to terminate for Down syndrome, but we might eliminate some smart people if we start on autism? I have four children, one has Down syndrome, and of the three others one is very gifted. They are both loving, happy, wonderful people who bring so much to the world. I’m glad I chose to give birth to them.

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:00:53 +0000

The article states: “There is a test for Down’s syndrome [sic] and that is legal and parents exercise their right to choose termination, but autism is often linked with talent. It is a different kind of condition.”

Talent?!? Is that the demarcation line on the termination issue? That’s a statement with divisive and frightening possibilities.