Prenatal genetic testing has become a very alarming subject to autistic and down-syndrome communities. Genetic testing involves several laboratory procedures that allow families to receive information on their baby before it is born. These procedures can conclude the possibility of an individual developing certain diseases based on their genetic makeup. Particular communities fear strongly the information discovered in these tests will be used to distinguish the “weak” from the “healthy” babies. Due to this massive fear, people openly oppose these experiments. Asch mentions in his article Prenatal Diagnosis and Selective Abortion: A Challenge to Practice and Policy “that opposition towards prenatal testing and selective abortion comes from the conviction that life with disability is worthwhile and the belief that a just society must appreciate and nurture the lives of all people” (db.jhuccp.org).
I believe that the tests can be powerfully beneficial as long as they are not used to determine whether abortion should be considered. There value should be recognized. One mother explained in Epinion her personal pregnancy story regarding her disabled son and verbalizes, "I would ask you to at least consider the benefits of prenatal testing. Knowledge is indeed power. By knowing about potential problems, you give your child the best chance at a safe and healthy delivery and start in life” (Prenatal Testing Is Not About Abortion). While genetic testing can often ease the minds of families, extreme caution must be exercised.
Susan M. Wolf’s book Feminism and Bioethics: Beyond Reproduction concluded through research in Korea that the country is currently anticipating in the next thirty years a ten percent increase in the male to female ration. Tim Friesen explains, “Sex selection is illegal in Korea but doctors give unspoken results through the amount of enthusiasm they show the mothers. If the doctor lacks enthusiasm upon the test results, the mother often calls for an abortion, knowing that the fetus is a female” (ndsu.nodak.edu). The situation in Korea demonstrates the lurking issue. Sex selection can frequently be masked by other reasons for abortions. The reasons for abortions must be carefully monitored as to ensure the future of the human race.
Thanks to:
-Prenatal Testing Is Not About Abortion (http://www99.epinions.com/content_3993215108)
-http://db.jhuccp.org/ics-wpd/exec/icswppro.dll?BU=http://db.jhuccp.org/ics-wpd/exec/icswppro.dll&QF0=DocNo&QI0=145660&TN=Popline&AC=QBE_QUERY&MR=30%25DL=1&&RL=1&&RF=LongRecordDisplay&DF=LongRecordDisplay
-http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/instruct/mcclean/plsc431/students/friesen.htm
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I support all women having the ability to have genetic testing done on their children before they are born because I believe that women have the right to be fully aware of any diseases or syndromes their children may possess before they are actually brought to life. My siblings and I all had genetic testing done on us before we were actually born to see if there was anything wrong with us. Luckily, for my mother, there was nothing wrong with us. Genetic testing gives the mother the ability to fully prepare for the birth of the child, to see if they need to make any adjustments in their life to make their child’s life as pleasant as possible.
The genetic make up of the baby should determine if the mother wants to abort the baby. I agree with a woman being able to abort a child if she believes that it’s the best thing to do for the child. If the mother thinks that a life disabled is worse then no life at all, then I will support then women in choosing to abort a child. But when it comes to the case in Korea, I do not believe in aborting a child because it is not the preferred sex. If you want to have a child, and you are blessed with the ability of birthing a child, you should want to keep it, regardless of the sex. Precautions must be made to regulate abortion of babies. While all women should be allowed to abort a child as well as being allowed to have prenatal testing, the motives behind these wants need to be taken in account by doctors.
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