Early genetic testing contreversy

When I was pregnant with Madison, Brad and I decided that we would not undergo prenatal genetic testing.  We knew that our baby was just that, OUR baby.  Honestly, I had no idea what all of that really meant.  I knew of Down syndrome, but I didn't know it had anything to do with chromosomes, or even what chromosomes mean in this whole thing.  I learned at a young age that all children are creations of God, made just the way He intended them to be.

I can remember having passing moments of thought during each of my pregnancies.  My thoughts would stray to the possibility of my baby being born with "something wrong".  But I was always able to dismiss it, and come to the conclusion that everything will be fine.  I had no idea how right I really was, everything would be fine.

If I could go back and do it all over, I would once again pass on the prenatal testing.  I don't think there is anything wrong with someone wanting to educate themselves before their baby is born, but I still don't feel like I would benefit from knowing ahead of time.

In this age we live in, the age of technologies and discoveries, we are benefiting in many ways.  We could be on the verge of life-saving cures to life threatening diseases and conditions.  But with this technology comes an immense controversy.  This article, entitled "Will babies with Down syndrome slowly disappear?" addresses that issue.  The article generated so much response that "Thrive:  Children's Hospital Boston's pediatric health blog", wrote a follow up here.  Our culture is on the verge of being faced with first trimester genetic testing through non-invasive blood work.  Doctor's will be informing women that their baby has Down syndrome before they even have to wear a maternity shirt.  You can listen to Dr. Skotko, among others, in their radio discussion here at "Down Syndrome Test Raises Questions for Future Moms".  While some may argue that this testing allows parents to become educated while they are still pregnant, I think that the thought behind this early testing is rather to make termination more convenient.  These terrified mother's opinions and views, just being given this news, will be at the mercy of the doctor standing in front of them.  This doctor's reaction and words could mean life or death for the future of this child.  Are doctor's capable of holding that responsibility?

And with this revolution of genetic testing, parents could be flooded with even more information.  What if a new mother stood before a doctor as they tell her that her baby has a 60% chance of having a life threatening cancer or a 90% chance of becoming an insulin dependent diabetic?  Are these healthy pieces of information for a person to be faced with?  People already have the capability of using medical technology to choose between a variety of embryos to pick whether they want a boy or girl.  What's next?  Hair color, eye color? 

With all of that said, I can come to a couple of conclusions.  First of all, my daughter has Down syndrome.  She is not suffering.  She is not a problem that needs to be fixed.  She is perfect just the way she was created.  I may not know everything she will be able to accomplish, but do any of us really know that for any of our kids.  There are so many things that can happen in life.  And there are much worse things that can happen in this life than a child living a fulfilled, happy life with Down syndrome.  Secondly, I am reminded that we are living in a fallen world, and the affects of that are terrifying.  Who is fit do decide whose "quality of life" is acceptable?  Who and when will draw the line for what is acceptable.  These are matters that should be left to One who knows far more than we, the Creator of everything.

After "Will babies with Down syndome slowly disappear?", Patti made this beautiful montage of faces.  Faces that are beautiful.  Faces that have a world of opportunities before them.  Faces that we are blessed to have.
click here to see her montage