Interesting statistic about abortion...

[SmokingJacket]

I have a friend who works with the developmentally disabled -- head injury victims, people with Down syndrome, etc. She says that about 70% of Down syndrome pregnancies are now being aborted. That's a conservative number, too -- because other places I've looked cite 80-90% of fetuses diagnosed with it are aborted. (The difference is probably accounted for by the fact that some women don't get the test, but would abort if they were diagnosed.)

I don't want this thread to be about eugenics, but instead I want point out the amazing fact that -- assuming Down syndrome cases appear in the same numbers across the political population -- somewhere between 70-90% of our population APPROVES of abortion when it really comes down to it.

Maybe even more! Because in that 10 to 30% are probably people like me, who are very much pro-choice but who would not, themselves, abort a DS fetus.

Yet more evidence that much of the "pro-life" crowd is actually all about not wanting YOU to get an abortion, but will certainly get one for themselves.

[rodeodance]

1. The well off can have it done in the privacy of their MD office, which

'others" have to walk through a picket line (if they can even get to a clinic).

[A HERETIC I AM]

2. Seconded. Restrictions on abortions and their providers ONLY hurt

the less affluent. Regardless of what happens, the affluent will always be able to go abroad if necessary to obtain this service. Making it difficult to get an abortion in this country only affects those unable to travel, be it to another state or another country.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. Here are some interesting poll figures concerning abortion:

http://www.pollingreport.com/abortion.htm

It's hard to directly compare these polls since they word the questions very differently from each other, but they show, overall, that the majority of Americans are pro-choice.

[SmokingJacket]

4. I'd always heard that it was about 60%...

However, that would mean that, if people applied their beliefs to their own situation, a maximum of 60% of Down syndrome cases would be aborted. Clearly, it's much higher than that.

I wonder why they ask about the health of the mother on these surveys, but never about the potential disabilities of the future baby? It's like a dirty secret that no one wants to confront.

[Arkansas Granny]

12. I'm sure that in certain situations, the pro-life crowd could

probably justify their decision to abort. I've read stories on line about pro-lifers getting abortions surreptitiously for themselves or their daughters because theirs was a "special case".

[boolean]

5. Nothing new...

Polls in the past have shown that only about 30% stanchly believe abrotion should be illegal not matter what. There's a good percentage of people (I think the majority) who say abortion should be legal "some of the time".

[rucky]

6. I wish the numbers showed a more direct correlation

But I think your assumptions are right on - including liberals keeping disabled kids.

[Fleshdancer]

7. with every pregnancy, you have to think about this possibility...

When I was pregnant with my daughter, my husband and I had the "what if?" conversation. Ultimately we decided that we didn't want to abort if she had Down Syndrome but we would have if more severe problems were discovered (anything that would cause a painful existence). At the end of the day, you do what you can do I guess and I can understand why others may have a difficult time with this.

As for the pro-life crowd, I'm constantly amazed at how many hypocrites on this subject exist. The whole "do as I say, not as I do" crap tells me that fighting abortion is more about controlling me and not about wanting every pregnancy to result in a birth. I personally know someone who has had two abortions and is pro-life and very vocal about it. :eyes:

[noonwitch]

8. I personally wouldn't abort a Down's baby, but I'm pro-choice

It would be my decision, not the government's. I've worked with kids with Down's syndrome-they spread such joy around everywhere they go. I'm a strong woman with a supportive extended family and church-the child would have cousins who love him for who he is, a church community who recognized him as a child of God, etc. My mom probably wouldn't be supportive, but if I ever do have kids, I wouldn't trust her to take care of them, anyways. She didn't do the greatest job with me and my siblings.

I also recognize that not everyone has the same resources as me, financially or emotionally. It should always be the woman's decision.

[bleedingheart]

9. Most people are pro-choice

the loudmouths in the anti-choice movement just get more press.

I know a bunch of older catholic ladies...go to church every day typically...say the rosary, help out with charities...and all of them are pro-choice...but they won't dare tell father that...no sireee...they play along with the anti-choicers to make nice...and keep from causing trouble...

[AngryAmish]

10. Do you suppose that someone with Down's is happy they are alive?

Or do you think that they would prefer oblivion?

[elehhhhna]

11. I think downs may be

the top of the karmic wheel.

[SmokingJacket]

13. I think they are happy they are alive.

That's why I, personally, would not abort if my wanted pregnancy indicated that outcome. But I'm pro-choice, and believe other people should be allowed to make their own decisions.

As I said, I don't want to talk about eugenics here -- it's a touchy subject. But I was startled that up to 90% of people actually DO abort under certain circumstances. That is considerably higher than those who publically support choice.

[fordnut]

14. Making something illegal doesn`t stop it from happening

it just makes more proffit for those willing to do it.