In an attempt to keep the gay marriage thread on topic, I'm starting a thread about fetus selective termination.

Can researchers determine what a child will be like or pre-disposed to?
If so, do you think there will be a rise in fetus terminations?
Is it morally or ethical to do these types of screenings at all?
What are your thoughts/ feelings about selective termination of fetuses?

 

Technically they would be able to look at genetic markers, though it's hard to identify which genes would be expressed. I think in a few years time you'll see the technology become more reliable.

Honestly, I think you'll see something more along the lines of designer babies that allow for certain gene expression rather than termination of fetuses based on genes. Does your baby have markers for muscular dystrophy? Apply gene therapy to increase the amount of IGF-1 produced by the pituitary, augment the amount of free testosterone in the bloodstream, and increase the amount of follistatin in muscular cells. Congratulations, your baby now has the developmental potential of an olympic/professional athlete.

It would then be morally justified by saying that the person saved a life. Of course, it's more complicated than I'm making it out to be, but my example is supposed to be simple.

 

No I don't think they should be allowed to screen for anything. Not gay, skin color, any specific genes, diseases, or anything. Either you terminate it or you don't, you don't terminate it because you're kid is gay or has autism. I think you either love the kid for who they are and keep it or you don't and terminate it. I respect the right to choice unlike some of the conservative nazi's in the world who want to force every woman to keep a pregnancy, even rape victims. I just don't think terminating a kid because they are gay is right. I have a 15 month old daughter and I love her unconditionally. If she decides she's gay someday then awesome as long as it makes her happy. Her happiness is the only thing I want for her.

 

We are doing it right now.

If a fetus is shown to have a defect or other disability, parents are encouraged to terminate the pregnancy.

Today fetuses can be tested for over 700 defect/disabilities.

 

I never had my future kids tested, because both of us came from the deep end of the gene pool. Luckily the gamble worked out and my kids are as normal any other's child, but normal is a wide span and is subjective

 

This maybe a good idea if it can be proved without a doubt that whatever defect gene the unborn child has, it's quality of life would be almost zero.

Also whatever defect gene the unborn child has, can remain dormant throught the childs life. So this fact has to be taken into consideration before ANY decision on the childs future can be taken.

 

If I could find out if my child would have problems like MS,downsydrome or autism I would terminate the kid faster than a employee that showed up for work drunk.

 

I think the odds are pretty good that people will start to genetically adapt their children, probably in the not too distant future. In some cases it is happening already.

 

How would you feel if your parents were given the same options.

 

If you start with the premise that life begins at or shortly after conception, then just about all abortion is wrong.

If you subscribe to the premise that life begins shortly before birth, then your options open up considerably.

I know one thing; No one on this forum could logically support the idea of selective abortion based on genetic testing if it were applied to them as the fetus.

Well, maybe that rascal DL could. Maybe. Probably not.

If you as a parent are obsessed with the idea of "perfect" genes, then I might suggest adoption. The little buggers are not wrecking your body with pregnancy and labor, they cost about the same, and for the most part are grateful you decided to adopt.

Kind of like Burger King; You can have it your way.

 

I would not feel anything. Though I know they would not have done anything because I have no health problems what so ever.

You imply that the unborn can feel. I don't believe they can. I think a woman should be able to have a abortion right up until her due date.

I am in favor of genetic testing and using that testing to breed out the defects in the human race.

 

Can you document that assertion? I assume that what you say is true, but I would like to add it to my list of facts.

 

Look it up.

 

*not_secure_link*25.media.tumblr.com/642246d3d2666f5bad903be94fae8300/tumblr_mhybkw8nLO1qg39ewo1_500.gif
​

 

Sorry NEW, i never answered my opinion on the matter.

I think that almost all abortion is immoral.

That being said, a couple (who are close friends of ours) were told that their 4 month term fetus had not brain developing. They were advised to terminate the pregnancy, being quite religious they refused. The baby was delivered 5 months ago, it was taken off life support in the first week.

The baby is still alive and growing, with only its brain stem. She has reflexes, she laughs and is otherwise healthy. Other such babies have lived as long as three years, the parent have two other "normal" children and love this one just as much.

I was one who advise her to abort, looking at them now, I was wrong.

 

Firstly: How do you know for definate that you have NO health problems, considering the fact that certain defect genes can lie dormant in a body for years. All they need is the right trigger signal and they can become active very quickly.

Secondly: There have been studies and documented cases on unborn children that show they can display and feel a range of emotions, and pain.

Thirdly: So you praise the work done by the Nazi's in their death camps.

Fouthly: Have you even considered how emotionally distressing, and physically dangerous it would be to the mother, if she was allowed to abort right up to her due date.

You are a disgrace to human race, and you are stealing someone elses valueable breathing air.

 

I have two sons. The eldest has Fragile X syndrome, amongst other issues. It is the #1 cause of genetic mental impairment and autism. When I got pregnant again, we had our child tested for this mutation. The test showed he had not gotten the affected X chromosome thankfully.

I'm not sure what we would have done if the results had come back differently, but I'm glad we would have had the choice of options.

As for testing for sexual preferences, eye color, gender, etc. I feel this would be wrong. As the parent of a special needs child; Characteristics that don't impact the quality of life of the child and/or family life seem insignificant and petty.

 

I am sure that your first son has the advantage of having you as a parent.

On your comment on "quality of life", that is a relative term. Each person has their own opinion.

 

There was a girl that experienced violent seizures. Doctors asserted that she needed the defective parts of her brain removed, which allotted to half of her brain. Her condition was called Rasmussen's syndrome. If I recall correctly, she spent the better part of a year recovering. At first those same doctors weren't expecting her to be able to walk, let alone communicate. She managed to regain full mobility as well as her ability to speak.

Children should be given the chance to thrive. If a parent isn't able to care for their ailing child, why can't they know what to expect and either prepare for or avoid it?

• Answering the OP, I trust in tenguy's answer.
  
• I certainly don't think people will stop terminating because their fetus has a lesser chance of being born with a genetic defect or an otherwise detrimental condition that might impair their quality of life.
  
• The option should be available to people. Mandating the screenings is morally and ethically wrong, though preventing someone from requesting such a service is equally reprehensible.
  
• I don't support abortion except in cases of rape or other extenuating circumstances. It is a woman's right to choose, not mine.

 

Thank you for your faith in me and my parenting skills.

He is lucky to have me, because I will go to any lengths to get whatever he needs to be the best he can. We as a family are lucky to have him. He is so loving and caring, and I believe he has made me a better person.

I know the challenges that raising a child with severe special needs brings. The mental, physical and financial pressures raising kids like him can be astronomical. We are fortunate to be in a position to meet all his needs, but many families don't.



The reason I feel that testing is needed, is to not only give parents options on terminating the fetus or not. Planning needs to be made for any new baby, children with issues have may require 10X the amount of planning, be it for developmental services, potential equipment/ therapy tools or long term issues and care.

Where testing could become a moral dilemma, in my opinion, is for parents trying to make or ensure the "perfect" baby. What constitutes a perfect, typical baby? And what happens when those best laid plans go off kilter? Will those parents still take home the baby? Still love him or her?

There are situations in medicine that have to be scrutinized by a mantra of, just because we can, doesn't mean we should. I believe selective gene engineering is one of these areas.