Thursday, September 11, 2008

This is About Abortion, Not the Candidates

I don't normally post controversial topics on here, I don't think. But this article elicited some responses from me...first emotional, then intellectual. And the information presented in this article is beyond unbelievable.

90%?? 90% of babies inutero who are thought to have Downs Syndrome are being aborted. Did you know the test for Downs isn't even 100% accurate? And, how is this systematic, weeding out of "imperfect" life any different than the Holocaust? You know, the incredible genocide that occurred because A. Hitler viewed certain groups as inferior, or "imperfect" (this included the disabled, homosexuals and Gypsies, as well as Jews).

Let's take out the glamour of Palin being a candidate for VP. Let's bring it down on a smaller, more personal scale.

When I was pregnant with Sam, Bob and I chose not to have any kind of genetic testing. This was after being advised to asked if we wanted to have any tests and being required to sign numerous papers saying we denied testing. Our reason for this was simple.* Whether or not the tiny little life in my womb (Sam) had genectic deficiences, we were going to do all we could to perserve his life and I would carry him to full term (if at all possible). This was a life created by God and given to us to care for, no matter for how long or in what capacity.

Call that a choice if you'd like. I do not think it is anywhere near the choice that pro-choicers refer to. This pretty much sums up how I feel about the previous article.



* I understand some parents, who have no intention of terminating a pregnancy, still choose to have testing so that, in the event their child did appear to have some type of genetic deficiency, they could try to prepare themselves, or ask others to pray, or whatever. I'm sure there are plenty of good reasons. The choice of whether or not to have any pre-natal testing done is not really the issue here...

7 comments:

Lindsay said...

I totally agree with you. I am shocked that the statistic is 90%. How tragic... We, too, declined the genetic testing when I was pregnant with Eli. Not because we thought it was wrong, but because those tests only tell you if your child has an "increased risk" for having certain disabilities, and we felt that it wasn't worth the worry of knowing that since we were definitely going to have our child either way.

Camille said...

Although I am pro-choice for various reasons, I 100% agree with you on what I would do if my child was shown by some testing to have special needs or a birth defect. I think whenever the time comes I will probably have genetic testing done so that I can mentally and physically prepare myself in the event my child does have a disability, but no matter what that child would be my child. While I do think that abortion should be legal, I don't agree with using abortion as a way to get a "perfect baby." It is a fine line to walk, I realize, but that's where I draw it in my life. Thanks for the post. :)

Lauren said...

I am so glad you wrote about this. I got a bee in my bonnet big time last week about abortion, and was trying to wait until I calmed down before writing a blog about it. Since that still hasn't happened, I'm happy to read and chime in on what you have written.

Frankly, it is no different than the Holocaust. And we, too, declined genetic testing/triple blood screens for the same exact reasons. When Rachael showed several "soft signs" of Downs at my 20-week ultrasound, I also declined the amnio. God is the Author and PERFECTER of life. If He chooses to bless us with a child with special needs, it is because He has determined that - despite what we may think of ourselves - we are suited to the task.

I was horrified to learn of abortion in general that many women who seek them are "repeat offenders," and that it's not uncommon for two married people with children already to seek an abortion in the face of an unexpected pregnancy. ("Sorry, we love our 3 children so much that we had to kill our 4th because it would have been too much work and put a financial strain on our lifestyle.")

As you can tell, I'm still a little raw about this. Abortion is such a sensitive topic on both sides, and it's a far more complex issue - emotionally - than most of us can even comprehend. Thanks for your post and the links.

Corie said...

I agree too.
My husband and I also declined genetic testing with Chloe too. We both agreed that whatever the results might be, we still wanted our baby and would love her just the same. And, those tests have so many false positives, which is scary.

rebekah said...

i finally got a chance to read that full article and i can't even believe they could paint her as a hypocrite. just because she was given the choice, doesn't mean she wanted that choice. it's like being a kid and throwing a ball at an unsuspecting classmate and screaming "touched you last!" its ridiculous that anyone could justify the systematic destruction of children - especially when those tests are far from conclusive. it's nauseating.

rebekah said...

also, all i have to say to anyone, is just watch a video of an abortion. i don't think people really understand what it is. how horrible and tragic and awful it is.

see it and you will forever be changed.

Katie L. said...

Good for you! I didn't realize the issue of people aborting Down Syndrome babies was so bad until all of this Palin business and it just broke my heart! I also heard that doctors mainly will offer info on abortion and none on how to handle a down syndrome baby! I just can't believe that people think their lives are worth any less than ours. I would never ever abort my babies, let alone abort them because they had any kind of special needs, I would feel blessed and honored to have such a special spirit entrusted to me. Thanks for speaking your mind on this