With the Senate confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, she will be the first mother of a child with Down syndrome to serve in that high office. What will that mean for people with Down syndrome and those who care about them? Continue Reading
Archives for 2020
October 26, 2020
Caregivers to individuals with Down syndrome should “shield” them from COVID-19
CNN reported at the end of October on a study finding that people with Down syndrome have a 10-fold greater risk of dying from COVID-19. More evidence why caregivers should shield their loved ones with Down syndrome from this awful virus. Continue Reading
October 19, 2020
Ch. 2, Part 9: What MaterniT21, Harmony, Panorama, and verifi are actually testing
In the course of Chapter 2's exploration of prenatal genetic testing, we finally arrive at cell free DNA screening and what exactly tests like MaterniT21, Harmony, and Panorama are actually testing. Continue Reading
October 13, 2020
Is Judge Amy Coney Barrett “Hostile” to Disability Rights?
Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett at the second day of her confirmation hearing (Photo by Alex Edelman / AFP) (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images) Dozens of disability rights groups have publicly objected to Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court. They claim that her record displays a "hostility" to rights important to those with disabilities. Will she be given an opportunity to address this charge during her confirmation hearing? Continue Reading
October 8, 2020
Chapter 2, Part 8: The ethical bedrock for prenatal genetic testing is shifting sand
So the headline ran after ACOG changed its guidelines for prenatal genetic testing. Um, except that's not what "Doctors say." It's just how everyone understands what ACOG meant when it changed the standard of care for when women are to be offered prenatal genetic testing. Continue Reading
September 29, 2020
On Supreme Court Nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Down syndrome, & Abortion
Judge Barret and her family President Trump nominated 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court on September 26, 2020. Judge Barrett's youngest son happens to have Down syndrome. She has also spoken and written about her Catholic faith. These and other factors have many wondering what the future holds for Roe v. Wade. Continue Reading
September 16, 2020
Chapter 2, Part 7: “Willing to Take the Risk”
Picking up where Part 6 left off, we continue to explore prenatal genetic screening. Read on for the visual reason why an ultrasound screening technique was developed for Down syndrome and how the obstetrician pictured above explained why ACOG changed its guidelines so that all women were to be offered prenatal genetic testing for Down syndrome. Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Planned Parenthood’s Superficial Cancelling of Margaret Sanger
Bust of Margaret Sanger at the National Portrait Gallery In the summer of 2020, Planned Parenthood announced it would remove the name of Margaret Sanger, the organization's founder, from its Manhattan Health Clinic for her statements in support of eugenics. But Planned Parenthood continues to advocate for eugenic practices. Continue Reading
September 2, 2020
Chapter 2, Part 5: Ignoring a Necessary Element for a Screening Program
Why, after attending the first full day of the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis in Miami, Florida in 2012, was I drinking from a fifth of Wild Turkey on the beach long after the sun had gone down? Read on to find out. Continue Reading
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