Would you abort a down syndrome fetus?

Fieryo · Post by **Fieryo** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:59 pm

I was melancholy so I thought, "how can I make people (including myself) happy? I know! I can pose a thoughtful question to the community to ponder and discuss and provide valuable space for CC's trolls and misfits to come and spew their good stuff!"

We had this debate in my bio-ethics class: would you abort a fetus with down syndrome, and here's the important part: why or why not?

ready....

set.....

GO!!!!

The Weird One · Post by **The Weird One** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:04 pm

yes. you're saving it from a shitty life. (bad argument, I know.)

Skoffin · Post by **Skoffin** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:06 pm

On one hand abortion isn't right.
On the other, the child would not have much of a life worth living, if there are any other children involved it could create pressure on them, not to mention the financial burden and stress for the parents.

And then there's the third factor, could I really make the choice to kill my own child?

riggable · Post by **riggable** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:12 pm

I'd have to say no, because it takes the fetus a few months' worth of development for the fetus's brain to be grown enough for scientists to determine if it could have down syndrome or not. At this point there's no doubt in my head that this would be considered murder of the worst kind(killing a defenseless human) and I would never be able to do that, down syndrome or no.

Heimdall · Post by **Heimdall** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:12 pm

Yes, depending on situation

Reasons:
1. Too many people on this earth
2. Adult Humans should be able to support themselves.
3. A fetus could make a great snack

demon7896 · Post by **demon7896** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:13 pm

im a guy....

dinobot · Post by **dinobot** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:17 pm

Durr hurr, because life is so important. There's no reason why you should consider the life important, as you haven't really interacted with it. The only people who would care, are retarded morons who don't have any sense of reason.

Now if I had an option to kill my best friend, I wouldn't. A retard baby on the other hand, would only provide a financial and emotional burden on myself and others. It hasn't developed any personality either, so it's no different from killing a cow.

The only argument against the abortion is 'LOL LIFE IS SO FUCKING FANTASTIC, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NO REASON TO SUPPORT MY CLAIM'.

lilacfrostyness · Post by **lilacfrostyness** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:19 pm

Down Syndrome is such a horrible disease....

Horrible for the kid, the parents, and everyone around them.
They'd probably have to be cared for their whole life
Not to mention they probably wouldn't be too happy...

No, I know how us "normal" students treat those who aren't. Not greatly is an understatement. I couldn't make my child go through that when life is hard enough for people without a disease like that.

Granted I may change my mind when I get older,
who knows,
but for now I won't be having any kids.
So...

No, I wouldn't have him/her.

Heimdall · Post by **Heimdall** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:21 pm

dinobot wrote:It hasn't developed any personality either, so it's no different from killing a cow.

The cow is more useful.

1.Could provide Milk
2.Could provide Meat
3.Could provide relief (ask DM)

duck · Post by **duck** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:23 pm

No I would not. I have known people who has Downs my whole life, as my mom's close friend's son has it. Also I have attended school with peers who have Downs. They do no seem to be living a life that is not worth living. I won't say it's easy for the child or the parents, but I also won't say that the fetus shouldn't have at least a shot at life.

I know how us "normal" students treat those who aren't. Not greatly is an understatement.

Dang, see where I went to high school and jr. high and elementary, the handicapped kids were the coolest kids in the school, no kidding. Especially in high school. And if you messed with them, at least half the football team would be messing with you later. They were the kids who everyone said hi to, because they always just wanted to say hi and talk or something. In class it was more complicated, but by the time they got to high school they were normally in special ed classes so that wasn't really an issue.[/quote]

dinobot · Post by **dinobot** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:27 pm

Heimdall wrote:
dinobot wrote:It hasn't developed any personality either, so it's no different from killing a cow.
The cow is more useful.

1.Could provide Milk
2.Could provide Meat
3.Could provide relief (ask DM)

The baby drinks milk and would eventually need meat. Also, it would cause stress. Not having the baby would save a lot more resources then killing a cow could give.

sangfroid · Post by **sangfroid** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:53 pm

I guess I'm selfish and would have to say yes. Being a parent of 2 kids already, I know parenting is very hard work and a child with Down's would be even more. I wouldn't want to do it, but given the impact on my wife, current family and the child itself, I couldn't bring myself to keep it.

IF I didn't have 2 kids and wife was nearing the end of the biological clock, then I might say no, but as things are it's not much of a choice.

The Weird One · Post by **The Weird One** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:13 pm

duck wrote:No I would not. I have known people who has Downs my whole life, as my mom's close friend's son has it. Also I have attended school with peers who have Downs. They do no seem to be living a life that is not worth living. I won't say it's easy for the child or the parents, but I also won't say that the fetus shouldn't have at least a shot at life.

I know how us "normal" students treat those who aren't. Not greatly is an understatement.
Dang, see where I went to high school and jr. high and elementary, the handicapped kids were the coolest kids in the school, no kidding. Especially in high school. And if you messed with them, at least half the football team would be messing with you later. They were the kids who everyone said hi to, because they always just wanted to say hi and talk or something. In class it was more complicated, but by the time they got to high school they were normally in special ed classes so that wasn't really an issue.

[/quote]
where did you go to high school

Neoteny · Post by **Neoteny** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:39 pm

Ah yes, trisomy 21...

Right now (assuming I were the only one to have a say in the matter, which, of course, I wouldn't) I say yes, because, at this point in my life, I feel that the quality of life that I could provide for a child with Down syndrome would be far less than I could provide for one without (although I would probably [suggest to significant other] abort any child right now out of a feeling of an inability to care for it currently, a severe sense of distrust toward people in general, and the urge to raise my own flesh and blood, so to speak. Of course, I don't see the moral repercussions for abortion that others do, so the Down syndrome isn't really having that big of an effect on the situation currently. In the future, perhaps, though I don't see my position moving too far from where it is now.

What would you do, Fieryo?

UCAbears · Post by **UCAbears** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:42 pm

The Weird One wrote:
duck wrote:No I would not. I have known people who has Downs my whole life, as my mom's close friend's son has it. Also I have attended school with peers who have Downs. They do no seem to be living a life that is not worth living. I won't say it's easy for the child or the parents, but I also won't say that the fetus shouldn't have at least a shot at life.

I know how us "normal" students treat those who aren't. Not greatly is an understatement.
Dang, see where I went to high school and jr. high and elementary, the handicapped kids were the coolest kids in the school, no kidding. Especially in high school. And if you messed with them, at least half the football team would be messing with you later. They were the kids who everyone said hi to, because they always just wanted to say hi and talk or something. In class it was more complicated, but by the time they got to high school they were normally in special ed classes so that wasn't really an issue.

where did you go to high school

[/quote]

Wouldn't you like to know.

JACKAZZTJM · Post by **JACKAZZTJM** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:51 pm

man if i posted this the heat i would get lol nah i wouldnt...because im a dude....and there kind of cute when they r little soon as it turned 18 i would let it go in a wooded area

browng-08 · Post by **browng-08** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:52 pm

Assuming, that I would keep it had I not known it's condition, no. The only case in which I would try to "spare" it is if it had a condition in which the child would inherit a life of untreatable pain. Today's society (in Canada, at least) has made it possible to raise Down's syndrome children as equals and with equal oppurtunity to pursue a meaningful life.
As for the abortion case, i'm not entirely sure where I stand. Somewhere in the middle, I suppose.

brooksieb · Post by **brooksieb** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:51 am

undecided,

though if one of my kids was physically disabled but still had a fully functioning brain i wud still keep him/her alive

DaGip · Post by **DaGip** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:24 am

No. I don't believe in abortion. Take some responibility...you ain't at a friggin' McDonald's! Quit being selfish...that's what's wrong with America and the rest of this world, everybody thinks about what is best for me and what I can get for me. Abortion is murder, it shouldn't be done.

Heimdall · Post by **Heimdall** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:10 am

Just aborted it and have another. What's the big deal? It will only set you back a couple of months. You're trading a life for another.

satanspaladin · Post by **satanspaladin** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:01 am

Well i think its every womans choice ,if she wishes an abortion.

but it would not be my choice .

Dancing Mustard · Post by **Dancing Mustard** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:11 am

Obviously the only correct answer in this situation is to abort the fetus. It has clearly committed sins in a previous life (or in the womb) and has thus been cursed with deformity by God. To permit it to live is to defy the creator himself.

It would however be unethical to throw the fetus away post-abortion. The only real option there is to save the fetus in a barrel with other deceased sinners and then to burn them down to generate electricity; this would provide us with a sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels.

heavycola · Post by **heavycola** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:22 am

Dancing Mustard wrote:Obviously the only correct answer in this situation is to abort the fetus. It has clearly committed sins in a previous life (or in the womb) and has thus been cursed with deformity by God. To permit it to live is to defy the creator himself.

It would however be unethical to throw the fetus away post-abortion. The only real option there is to save the fetus in a barrel with other deceased sinners and then to burn them down to generate electricity; this would provide us with a sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels.

A farsighted solution. And with all the sins being committed today, as well as the accumulated original sin since the Fall, there is no reason why most of our energy couldn't be provided by burning aborted foetuses within the next few years. The amount of energy produced could also function as a countdown clock to the End Times.

Interfacer PH · Post by **Interfacer PH** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:26 am

Would You Abort a Fetus Which Was Known to Have Down Syndrome?

No
64% [ 36 ]
Yes
28% [ 16 ]
Undecided (a.k.a. thinking makes my brain hurt!!)
7% [ 4 ]

Total Votes : 56

At this rate we'll eventually have a planet that's 64% retarded...

apey · Post by **apey** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:26 am

When my brothers baby was born they said that the baby had downsyndrome after a few tests it was determined it was another rare disease. A few surgeries and years later she is fine and has no more defects as the doc like to call it so no what if all the tests are wrong and your childs quality of life depends on how you make it