Penna Dexter

Two Washington Post columnists wrote opposing columns last week on Down syndrome babies' right to life. The title of Mark Theissen's piece is, "When will we stop killing humans with Down syndrome?" Ruth Marcus called hers, "I would've aborted a fetus with Down syndrome." Ruth Marcus says she had two babies. If amniocentesis had revealed Down syndrome she would have aborted, "grieved the loss, and moved on." She condemns laws passed in North Dakota, Ohio, Indiana, and Louisiana that prohibit doctors from performing abortions for the sole reason that there's a Down syndrome diagnosis. Ms. Marcus says that advances in prenatal testing "pose difficult moral choices" but it's still none of the state's business. Mark Theissen writes that, in the US, 67 percent of Down syndrome babies are aborted. This rate, though high, compares favorably with European countries. A CBS News report last year revealed Iceland's near 100 percent abortion rate for unborn babies with this genetic disorder. Denmark is close behind at 98 percent. In countries with socialized medicine, cost is a huge factor. A person with Down syndrome is often deemed too "expensive." Mr. Theissen advocates for a different view in this country. He describes the testimony of Frank Stephens before a House appropriations panel. Mr. Stephens stated, "I am a man with Down syndrome, and my life is worth living." He encouraged the lawmakers: "Let's be America, not Iceland or Denmark . . . Let's pursue inclusion, not termination." There are signs this message is gaining traction. The Gerber Baby for 2018 is a one-year-old with Down syndrome. The company chose Lucas Warren out of 140,000 entries for his "glowing and giggly" smile. Indeed, a 2011 study by Harvard University showed people with Down syndrome have unusually high rates of happiness; 99 percent said they are happy with their lives. And surveys show they bring great joy to their families. We need a culture that welcomes the Down syndrome child.