11.23.2009
11.17.2009
an article...
Will Babies with Down Syndrome Just Disappear?
Posted: Friday, September 18, 2009 at 4:18 am ET
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The development of prenatal diagnostic technologies presents a constellation of moral issues -- with the diagnosis of Down syndrome front and center. Over the past several years, a marked decrease in the number of babies born with Down syndrome has been both observed and widely reported. This decrease can be traced directly to the decision to abort after prenatal diagnosis.
As Science Daily reports, a new leading article to be published in Archives of Disease in Childhood points to developments in the near future that will likely increase the diagnosis of Down syndrome [DS] during pregnancy. "New tests expected to be introduced next year will offer a simple blood test that poses no risk to the fetus and delivers a definitive diagnosis of one of more of the genetic variants of Down syndrome -- trisomy 21, translocation, or mosaicism," the journal reported.
The development of these new tests will almost surely make the practice of prenatal screening for Down syndrome more widespread. At present, the available tests pose some risk to the fetus and are invasive. The new tests expected next year are based on simple blood tests.
The new research is based on work by Dr. Brian Skotko, a clinical genetics fellow at Children's Hospital Boston. Skotko, who has a sister with Down syndrome, asks this haunting question: "As new tests become available, will babies with Down syndrome slowly disappear?"
His research reveals deeply troubling trends. Between 1989 and 2005, births of babies with Down syndrome decreased by 15 percent. As Science Daily explains, "In the absence of prenatal testing, researchers would have expected the opposite -- a 34 percent increase in births -- due to the trend of women waiting longer to have children; known to increase the chances of having a baby with Down syndrome."
In an article published in 2005, Skotko argued that doctors are often ill-prepared to discuss the diagnosis of Down syndrome with their pregnant patients. Chillingly, he also revealed that a significant percentage of the doctors "reported that they 'emphasize' the negative aspects of DS so that patients would favor a termination."
With the new technologies of prenatal diagnosis so close on the horizon, Skotko now sees a "true collision" on its way. "More women will be going through the testing process, which could lead to a lot of difficult, uncomfortable conversations between physicians and expectant patients."
The reason for the decrease in the number of babies born with Down syndrome comes into clearer focus when The Washington Post cites Skotko's research indicating that 92 percent of women who learn they are carrying a baby with Down syndrome choose to abort the pregnancy. That is more than nine out of ten.
The dimensions of the "collision" Dr. Skotko sees coming now come into view. If these percentages hold, the development of these new tests will almost certainly lead to a vast increase in the number of babies aborted after the diagnosis of Down syndrome.
This presents a grave moral challenge to the medical community -- and to the society at large. Medical care is a social good for which the entire society is responsible. The development of prenatal diagnostic technologies and procedures brings a moral crisis right to our doorsteps -- and our hearts. Will we see people with Down syndrome simply disappear?
In his 2005 article, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Skotko explained that prenatal testing for Down syndrome presents expectant parents with a simple choice -- continue the pregnancy or abort. He continued:
Knowing this, health care providers have historically operated under the assumption that if a woman consents to prenatal screening or diagnosing, she must believe that having a child with DS would be an undesired outcome and wish to terminate her pregnancy if such a diagnosis were made prenatally."
Expectant parents should read that sentence over and over again, and so should those who counsel them.
As Dr. Skotko understands all too well, this moral crisis is not limited to babies with Down syndrome. He asks: "Should expectant parents be able to select out fetuses with an undesired sex? Should fetuses with genes that predispose them to adult breast cancer be prenatally identified? Should couples in the future be supported if they wish to terminate fetuses with genes correlated with sexual preferences?"
The fact that 92 percent of women who are told that their unborn child carries the high risk of Down syndrome choose to abort the baby should shock us all. What does that say about our devaluation of human life and human dignity? This can only mean that these women see a child with Down syndrome as not worth having -- and the baby as a life not worth living.
Dr. Skotko points to the new tests just around the corner and sees a collision coming. Given his important research, we had better see a moral crisis looming. The Culture of Death is gaining momentum before our eyes. Who will be next in line to be considered unworthy of life?
Posted: Friday, September 18, 2009 at 4:18 am ET
Subscribe
The development of prenatal diagnostic technologies presents a constellation of moral issues -- with the diagnosis of Down syndrome front and center. Over the past several years, a marked decrease in the number of babies born with Down syndrome has been both observed and widely reported. This decrease can be traced directly to the decision to abort after prenatal diagnosis.
As Science Daily reports, a new leading article to be published in Archives of Disease in Childhood points to developments in the near future that will likely increase the diagnosis of Down syndrome [DS] during pregnancy. "New tests expected to be introduced next year will offer a simple blood test that poses no risk to the fetus and delivers a definitive diagnosis of one of more of the genetic variants of Down syndrome -- trisomy 21, translocation, or mosaicism," the journal reported.
The development of these new tests will almost surely make the practice of prenatal screening for Down syndrome more widespread. At present, the available tests pose some risk to the fetus and are invasive. The new tests expected next year are based on simple blood tests.
The new research is based on work by Dr. Brian Skotko, a clinical genetics fellow at Children's Hospital Boston. Skotko, who has a sister with Down syndrome, asks this haunting question: "As new tests become available, will babies with Down syndrome slowly disappear?"
His research reveals deeply troubling trends. Between 1989 and 2005, births of babies with Down syndrome decreased by 15 percent. As Science Daily explains, "In the absence of prenatal testing, researchers would have expected the opposite -- a 34 percent increase in births -- due to the trend of women waiting longer to have children; known to increase the chances of having a baby with Down syndrome."
In an article published in 2005, Skotko argued that doctors are often ill-prepared to discuss the diagnosis of Down syndrome with their pregnant patients. Chillingly, he also revealed that a significant percentage of the doctors "reported that they 'emphasize' the negative aspects of DS so that patients would favor a termination."
With the new technologies of prenatal diagnosis so close on the horizon, Skotko now sees a "true collision" on its way. "More women will be going through the testing process, which could lead to a lot of difficult, uncomfortable conversations between physicians and expectant patients."
The reason for the decrease in the number of babies born with Down syndrome comes into clearer focus when The Washington Post cites Skotko's research indicating that 92 percent of women who learn they are carrying a baby with Down syndrome choose to abort the pregnancy. That is more than nine out of ten.
The dimensions of the "collision" Dr. Skotko sees coming now come into view. If these percentages hold, the development of these new tests will almost certainly lead to a vast increase in the number of babies aborted after the diagnosis of Down syndrome.
This presents a grave moral challenge to the medical community -- and to the society at large. Medical care is a social good for which the entire society is responsible. The development of prenatal diagnostic technologies and procedures brings a moral crisis right to our doorsteps -- and our hearts. Will we see people with Down syndrome simply disappear?
In his 2005 article, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Skotko explained that prenatal testing for Down syndrome presents expectant parents with a simple choice -- continue the pregnancy or abort. He continued:
Knowing this, health care providers have historically operated under the assumption that if a woman consents to prenatal screening or diagnosing, she must believe that having a child with DS would be an undesired outcome and wish to terminate her pregnancy if such a diagnosis were made prenatally."
Expectant parents should read that sentence over and over again, and so should those who counsel them.
As Dr. Skotko understands all too well, this moral crisis is not limited to babies with Down syndrome. He asks: "Should expectant parents be able to select out fetuses with an undesired sex? Should fetuses with genes that predispose them to adult breast cancer be prenatally identified? Should couples in the future be supported if they wish to terminate fetuses with genes correlated with sexual preferences?"
The fact that 92 percent of women who are told that their unborn child carries the high risk of Down syndrome choose to abort the baby should shock us all. What does that say about our devaluation of human life and human dignity? This can only mean that these women see a child with Down syndrome as not worth having -- and the baby as a life not worth living.
Dr. Skotko points to the new tests just around the corner and sees a collision coming. Given his important research, we had better see a moral crisis looming. The Culture of Death is gaining momentum before our eyes. Who will be next in line to be considered unworthy of life?
10.15.2009
on a remarkable woman...
So it's been a rough week... I found out earlier this week that Marcheta died on Saturday. I was hired as her companion when we first moved to Ann Arbor- and was with her 3 days a week assisting in her home for about a year and a half. Unfortunately my grandparents lived very far away from me and so I have few memories of them, and so Marcheta quickly filled that void and found her way into my heart. We had some really wonderful times together. She lived in an apartment at a retirement center and it had these huge windows that overlooked a large grassy area with several trees. Her table was set up so we would have breakfast and watch the birds fly from tree to tree every morning. Marcheta had an extensive collection of exquisite jewelry and I loved finding the perfect pieces to match both outfit and season. She was a very encouraging and optimistic woman- always looking for the best in people. At her funeral today her daughter, Carol, shared this beautiful story of how a few weeks ago they were sitting at dinner in the retirement center's "restaurant" and there was a man who was coughing very loudly and repulsively... it was keeping Carol from enjoying her time and she wanted so much more for her mother- wanted a more elegant and peaceful place to enjoy a meal together. And so they finished and Carol quickly wheeled Marcheta out of the cafeteria and as they passed this elderly man Marcheta reached out and touched the man's shoulder and said, "It's OK, you're doing a great job..." It moved Carol's heart as she reflected on the kind of mother she has.... and it's a story I wanted to share because it is a true reflection of the kind of woman Marcheta was. I could write story after story of this woman I grew to dearly admire and adore, but I will treasure the stories in my heart and leave you all with a few pictures. Carol's husband, Chuck, talked about how often times when people age and they lose so much of what defined them in their prime you are often left with the essence of a person, and the essence of Marcheta was a woman who was full of optimism, grace, and courage. I genuinely hope that when I age and if I lose my ability to walk or see, am in great pain, or lose my ability to think and remember who people are, that what my loved ones are left with is what I got to experience when I was with Marcheta... and that is great optimism, grace, and joy.
10.07.2009
10.01.2009
praying for our future...
I can't believe David's well into his 3rd year of medical school. Things have been going really well for him. He loves his rotations and is learning so many things!!! He's had internal medicine, family medicine, and is now doing an elective on infectious disease. We have started thinking more about our future and where we think God wants us... We feel like we'll either stay in Detroit or move back to Tucson. We have no idea what we'll do though. I am feeling torn... I love living in Detroit and being part of Mack Ave. Church.... we are forming great relationships with our neighbors and just getting more involved in the community in general. I do miss Tucson terribly still. And I know that it is a city that needs a lot of love too. The extra pull in returning to Arizona is family. My dad lives in Sedona (an easy 3-4 hour drive-- but a BEAUTIFUL place to be!) and David's parents live in Nogales- a quick hour drive south. I am pretty sure I will be able to convince my mom to come down from Portland too. :) Plus David's siblings are there- minus Steven- but who knows where he'll end up! The other 3 really like being there! We both are very close to our families and want our children to get time with their grandparents now. As we get older often times relationships with grandparents weaken and so it's important to get that time when the kids are young. At this point we really don't know where God is leading us... we're just praying that He'll reveal where He wants us to be... and so that's where you all come in... please join us in praying over the next year as we seek the Lord's will on where we will live. We'd like to settle into a community and be less transient (God willing!) Part of me still really longs to return... for so many reasons... but I know I'd be happy here too.... it's just not as "easy".
Thankfully the Lord has brought me to a place where I am enjoying Michigan and enjoying my friendships. I rejected this state for a very long time and was angry that we had to live here.... I no longer feel that way. I feel extremely peaceful and happy where we are. I love where we are living, our neighbors, neighborhood, and I am liking the city of Detroit more and more everyday. There are some really great places that I get to enjoy in this city. :)
Thanks for reading this really long post and join us in our journey of prayer. :)
Thankfully the Lord has brought me to a place where I am enjoying Michigan and enjoying my friendships. I rejected this state for a very long time and was angry that we had to live here.... I no longer feel that way. I feel extremely peaceful and happy where we are. I love where we are living, our neighbors, neighborhood, and I am liking the city of Detroit more and more everyday. There are some really great places that I get to enjoy in this city. :)
Thanks for reading this really long post and join us in our journey of prayer. :)
9.24.2009
Etsy
So I discovered this amazing website today and it's amazing! I know a lot of people who have used it, but I hadn't looked on the site yet, and wow, it's really cool! I browsed around in the children sections, purse section, and art section and I found all kinds of gift ideas. :)
So you should look at this video and learn about what etsy is!
So you should look at this video and learn about what etsy is!
9.20.2009
peace
So Micah, David, Bentley, and I went up north this weekend to the family cottage in Interlochen, MI. We had a great time We did the 16 mile bike ride, went to Traverse City, and enjoyed Frankfort as well. It was great to just get away and enjoy the peacefulness of being away. Anyway, here are some pics.
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