Wrongful Birth Bill passes in Arizona

[psy]

Am I the only one put off by the "better to be dead than disabled" implications of these laws and cases? I can kind of see the reasoning for something like Tay Sachs where the lifespan is only a few years, but Down Syndrome isn't terminal (yes, I'm aware of the higher risk for heart deficits, early onset Alzheimer's, and leukemia, but those are still issues that, AFAIK, affect a minority of people with DS, and *everyone* is at some risk for those things, some moreso based on family history/genetics.).

[HQWest]

Originally Posted by psy

Am I the only one put off by the "better be dead than disabled" implications of these laws and cases? I can kind of see the reasoning for something like Tay Sachs where the lifespan is only a few years, but Down Syndrome isn't terminal (yes, I'm aware of the higher risk for heart deficits, early onset Alzheimer's, and leukemia, but those are still issues that, AFAIK, affect a minority of people with DS, and *everyone* is at some risk for those things, some moreso based on family history/genetics.).

I too am bothered by this. Just as it bothers me that the legislature felt there was enough need to make a law on this. Tay Sachs or Edwards syndrome I can kind of understand - at that point one might start weighing the risks in child birth to the mother versus a child with a very short expected lifespan and low quality of life.

The other thing that bothers me is that they could have checked this with the amnio, but there is a risk to the child with an amnio too.

[AOII Angel]

That's why it is the choice of the parents. Not every person is able to handle being a special needs parent. Hell, not everyone is able to handle being a parent at all.

[DZsis&mom]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

not everyone is able to handle being a parent at all.

This!!! Best Words of Wisdom of the Day Award Winner!!!!!

[AXOmom]

Originally Posted by psy

Am I the only one put off by the "better to be dead than disabled" implications of these laws and cases? I can kind of see the reasoning for something like Tay Sachs where the lifespan is only a few years, but Down Syndrome isn't terminal (yes, I'm aware of the higher risk for heart deficits, early onset Alzheimer's, and leukemia, but those are still issues that, AFAIK, affect a minority of people with DS, and *everyone* is at some risk for those things, some moreso based on family history/genetics.).

As I mentioned in one of my previous posts - I am concerned about it from an ethical standpoint and yes it does bother me, but it is a decision these parents can legally make, and given that, I was curious about legal issues relating to this case and how they relate to the Arizona law....or proposed law.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by psy

Am I the only one put off by the "better to be dead than disabled" implications of these laws and cases?

No. That's one of the reasons that the courts are so reluctant to recognize wrongful life claims -- they are reticent to suggest that no life is better than life.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Hell, not everyone is able to handle being a parent at all.

That's for sure.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by psy

Am I the only one put off by the "better to be dead than disabled" implications of these laws and cases? I can kind of see the reasoning for something like Tay Sachs where the lifespan is only a few years, but Down Syndrome isn't terminal (yes, I'm aware of the higher risk for heart deficits, early onset Alzheimer's, and leukemia, but those are still issues that, AFAIK, affect a minority of people with DS, and *everyone* is at some risk for those things, some moreso based on family history/genetics.).

I personally find it to be quite disturbing, not just for the implications now but also in the future. What sort of Pandora's box are we opening here? Will it be acceptable in the near future to terminate a pregnancy because the child may be born deaf, or may develop ADHD, or born a gender unwanted by the parents? My mother was born with a physical handicap and the idea that someone would think she would have been better off never being born makes me sick to my stomach.