On our trip out west to Yellowstone National Park, we took in so many splendid sights. Then, on the eighth day of travel, I woke up with a sense of dread about what we hadn't seen on our trip. Continue Reading
May 8, 2018
Avengers Infinity War, utilitarian ethics, and prenatal testing
The blockbuster movie Avengers - Infinity War features heroes and villains sacrificing for what they perceive is the greater good. The ethical issues in the movie are shared in how prenatal testing is administered, but with a key distinction. Continue Reading
March 27, 2018
Discriminatory impact of Down syndrome selective abortion
Regularly there are positive news reports raising awareness about what a life with Down syndrome can be. Gerber baby food selected for the first time ever a baby with Down syndrome to be its “Gerber baby.” The re-launched American Idol featured a young man with Down syndrome singing with a contestant. And, 50 moms created a carpool karaoke video with their children with Down syndrome that moved James Corden to tears. But, it has not been all good news reported. Continue Reading
October 30, 2017
The cold, dumb logic of cost-effectiveness justification for prenatal genetic testing
Down syndrome has long been called the "canary in the genetics coalmine." Here's another example of why. Continue Reading
August 29, 2017
Ohio’s Down Syndrome Abortion Bill: Avoiding the Issue
For the second time, an Ohio state representative has introduced a bill to ban abortion when the stated reason is a prenatal test result for Down syndrome. The debate about the bill, and the measure itself, avoid the issue about Down syndrome selective abortion. Continue Reading
August 16, 2017
Persistent challenges: bigotry and ethical prenatal testing
A visit to National Park sites, a presentation to medical professionals in Kansas City, a violent protest in Charlottesville, and a news report out of Iceland all came together in less than a week as a reminder of the persistent challenge of our bigotry against our fellow human beings. Continue Reading
January 6, 2017
Top Posts of 2016: Down Syndrome Prenatal Testing
Here are the top 5 posts (based on views) from 2016: Continue Reading
December 28, 2016
Down syndrome: not a costly burden to be prevented
Research now shows that a child with Down syndrome costs less than $3 a day more in health expenses than a child without Down syndrome. This research should cause obstetricians, genetic counselors, expectant parents, and policymakers to revise their view of how costly a life with Down syndrome really is (or isn't). Continue Reading
October 13, 2016
GONE: estimate reduced by 20% of people with Down syndrome in United States
In 2013, researchers estimated that the total number of people living in the United States was 40% less than the historically cited number. Three years later, that estimate has been revised down further by 20%. Continue Reading
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