Comments on: Genetic Tests & Abortion; Disability & Defect

By: A genetic test for MeCP-2 and Rett’s Syndrome?

A genetic test for MeCP-2 and Rett’s Syndrome? — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 03:49:35 +0000

[...] Rett Syndrome, see this Genetics Home Reference page from the US National Library of Medicine. On prenatal genetic testing and disabled children, see [...]

By: Eye on DNA Links - May 16, 2007 — Eye on DNA

Eye on DNA Links - May 16, 2007 — Eye on DNA — Wed, 16 May 2007 08:51:55 +0000

[...] Kristina at AutismVox – Genetic Tests & Abortion; Disability & Defect [...]

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Mon, 14 May 2007 20:25:29 +0000

Thanks for that reference Bonnie—-even “implying” this raises concerns.

By: Hope for Change « Utter Autism

Hope for Change « Utter Autism — Mon, 14 May 2007 17:37:52 +0000

[...] Life With Autism, Parenting Autistic Children, Life With Autism, Autism — Carol @ 1:37 pm This post on Autism Vox yesterday reminded me that there are those who see little or no value in those with [...]

By: TheASMan

TheASMan — Mon, 14 May 2007 14:39:51 +0000

Also isnt that implied by Autism Speaks as well

By: Bonnie Ventura

Bonnie Ventura — Mon, 14 May 2007 14:33:21 +0000

What would happen if we referred to an autistic adult, an autistic child, as having “a serious defect”

This is already happening. The March of Dimes includes autism in its list of birth defects and is funding the “autism prevention” research at Baylor.

By: TheASMan

TheASMan — Mon, 14 May 2007 04:05:40 +0000

What would happen if we referred to an autistic adult, an autistic child, as having “a serious defect”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I find them and put my foot where the sun doesnt shine

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 14 May 2007 02:41:23 +0000

These types of things make me feel physically sick. It is so sad to think that people can be deemed ‘unwanted’ or ‘broken’ or ‘defect’ even before they are born, before they can grow, before they can become individuals who prove otherwise.

Yet, where there is an opportunity to play god, there will always be those who choose that path. There will always be those who think they know better.

I find it comforting to know that my autistic son has touched so many people so deeply, changing their perspective and understanding…one person at a time.

By: Club 166

Club 166 — Mon, 14 May 2007 01:06:51 +0000

One of my greatest disappointments with scientists as a group is the failure to insist on ethical discussions before incorporating new technologies into medical practice.

Rather than having open and honest debate about stem cells, eugenics, and gene manipulation, we (all of us in society) have allowed these things to move forward without any consideration of whether they should be allowed to move forward. Many in science abdicate any responsibility, rationalizing that if they don’t do it, someone else will. While this may be true, if we had open conversations of all the ethical principles and the consequences of different technologies, such technologies might be relegated to the fringe rather than being immediately being incorporated into the mainstream.

Our only hope at this point is to educate after the fact, which is a much tougher road to hoe.

By: Aidoann

Aidoann — Sun, 13 May 2007 23:26:52 +0000

Someone brought up the point of the topic of eugenics and abortion to be a very slippery slope. This is true. If abortion on the account of a “serious defect” is allowed, how will physicians know where to stop? It is rather unnerving that it could come to whether it is okay to have an abortion for a high-functioning autistic child or a kid with Asperger’s, which really aren’t that severe compared to other conditions.