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Ustwo · 11-21-2007, 10:25 AM

My wife and I decided if the baby had downs syndrome we would abort.

I see no real point in going through that, downs kids tend to be very friendly and loving (genetics and personality there for those keeping score) but so is a puppy.

When they are 30 years old, a genetic dead end, and you are just hoping you can set it up so they can die comfortably without being taken advantage of or abused I just don't think its worth it.

Assuming Iceland is a socialized system, such things are to be expected, socialized systems the government controls your health care, and the cost, downs kids are expensive, plus they are often more willing to experiment with the population as a whole so the test may be for other reasons beyond just identifying downs.

Actually while I think socialized medicine is awful in delivery, one of the few good things is because EVERYONE is a ward of the state so to speak, you can get great long term experimental data, often without any semblance of patient consent. I'd be willing to guess that is part of that.

I think the ethical comparisons with this issue and basic eugenics are faulty because this is a true disease state, not skin color or sex. If you want to use a slippery slope thats fine, but in downs you have an extra chromosome (and occasionally a translocated one). Most people with it are sterile, and can have a wide range of health issues along with mental retardation which at best gives an IQ of 85 (most are much lower), this again is at best, where they can function doing menial jobs.

When they start to force you to abort, give me a call.

11-21-2007, 10:25 AM	#22 (permalink)
Ustwo Pissing in the cornflakes	My wife and I decided if the baby had downs syndrome we would abort. I see no real point in going through that, downs kids tend to be very friendly and loving (genetics and personality there for those keeping score) but so is a puppy. When they are 30 years old, a genetic dead end, and you are just hoping you can set it up so they can die comfortably without being taken advantage of or abused I just don't think its worth it. Assuming Iceland is a socialized system, such things are to be expected, socialized systems the government controls your health care, and the cost, downs kids are expensive, plus they are often more willing to experiment with the population as a whole so the test may be for other reasons beyond just identifying downs. Actually while I think socialized medicine is awful in delivery, one of the few good things is because EVERYONE is a ward of the state so to speak, you can get great long term experimental data, often without any semblance of patient consent. I'd be willing to guess that is part of that. I think the ethical comparisons with this issue and basic eugenics are faulty because this is a true disease state, not skin color or sex. If you want to use a slippery slope thats fine, but in downs you have an extra chromosome (and occasionally a translocated one). Most people with it are sterile, and can have a wide range of health issues along with mental retardation which at best gives an IQ of 85 (most are much lower), this again is at best, where they can function doing menial jobs. When they start to force you to abort, give me a call. __________________ Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.