In the same week that thirty years ago a doctor advised the parents of Baby Doe to let him die because he had Down syndrome, a noted bioethicist said that some babies should instead be actively killed to save the rest of us money. Continue Reading
February 12, 2015
Same birthday, competing legacies
Ten score and several years ago today, Abraham Lincoln was born. On that same February 12, 1809 Charles Darwin also was born. The ideas championed by these men and their competing legacies twist through history like the spiraling parallel sides of DNA. Continue Reading
January 30, 2015
Ignorant people say stupid things about Down syndrome
From the news page, purportedly independent-thinking people say stupid things about Down syndrome, while a grandmother shares wisdom gained from having a granddaughter with Down syndrome. Continue Reading
January 27, 2015
International Holocaust Remembrance Day: finally a memorial for the disabled
In 2014, a memorial was finally erected for those first victims of the Nazi euthanasia program: the disabled. Continue Reading
September 15, 2014
Down syndrome screening no longer a recommended preventive service
Down syndrome screening is no longer listed as a recommended preventive care service by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. This renders many insurance policies outdated and may avoid instituting an explicitly eugenic policy under the Affordable Care Act. Continue Reading
August 28, 2014
More women aborting & continuing Down syndrome pregnancies
More women than ever are aborting pregnancies positive for Down syndrome. And, at the same time, more women than ever are choosing to continue a pregnancy positive for Down syndrome. Continue Reading
August 20, 2014
Down syndrome prenatal testing should not be a public health prevention program
David A. Savitz, in an editorial commenting on the study showing Down syndrome is disappearing in Victoria, Australia, says prenatal testing should be used to eradicate Down syndrome due to widespread acceptance of selective abortion. He's not quite right. Continue Reading
August 17, 2014
Is Down syndrome a disappearing birth defect?
Based on their study of Down syndrome births and terminations in Victoria, Australia over a 19 year period, the study authors' asked whether Down syndrome is disappearing. The answer is "no … not yet." Continue Reading
August 13, 2014
Intensified prenatal testing urgently needed to bring cases of Down syndrome to nil
American researchers identify "urgent global opportunities to prevent birth defects." Guess what is included in the list of birth defects to be prevented (and how)? Continue Reading
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