Need fodde3r

[akashasheiress]

How do I go about arguing with people who are against fetal tests determining things like Down's Syndrome because they feel that this is an attempt at ''eradicating'' people with such conditions? I, personally, think that women who want such prenatal tests should get them, and should be allowed to make their decision from there. However, the people

Comments

[evilcresyluna]

Because being forced to have ANY kid because of not being permitted to access a test to determine whether they have a very serious health problem (Downs is not just mental retardation; heart defects are another serious complication, and high correlations of childhood cancers such as leukemia) is just stupid. If someone wants to continue a Downs pregnancy they should be able choose to do so knowing full well what to expect, not just because someone completely unconnected decided it would hurt THEIR feelings if they had an abortion. Fuck, don't they realize forbidding women to access these tests is pressuring them to continue Downs pregnancies? Not that trying to keep Downs pregnancies a SURPRISE until birth is going to make it any easier to raise a child with Downs or be a person with Downs in society.

The "inevitable pressure" to have abortions is kind of stupid, too. It is presented as an option, whereas if you get 20+ ultrasounds that don't show any abnormalities nobody says "So, considering an abortion?" If your provider saying "these tests show a strong likelihood of Downs syndrome [or insert whatever serious health condition] which can have a number of health problems including mental retardation, heart defects, and cancer. Many women choose to abort these pregnancies. Is this something you want to consider?" is just too much pressure, they need to grow up. What do these people think happens when you counsel about any other health condition? "No, telling you about your options would just be too pressuring!"

[akashasheiress]

Thank you! So many awesome answers to this post! Yeah, I think that it basically comes down to not trusting women to make the decision that's best for them.