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New Down's syndrome test is an affront to the humanity and dignity of the disabled
Westminster, 22 November 2000--Pro-lifers have condemned reports that a new test for Down's syndrome in unborn babies is 'safer' than amniocentesis. The test, known as Fluorescent In Situ Hybridisation (FISH), in fact increases the chances that disabled children will be denied the right to life simply on the basis of their disability.Alison Davis, co-ordinator of the handicap division of the Society
for the Protection of Unborn Children, who herself has spina bifida,
commented: "The assurance that this, or any, pre-natal screening test
is 'safe' is misplaced. The whole aim of all such tests is to detect
disabled babies so that they can be aborted.
"It is offensively misleading to suggest that this new test is an advance on older ones because in fact the new test increases the risk that a disabled child will be detected and killed by abortion.
"If scientists were really concerned with maternal and child
safety, they would be developing ways to treat disabling conditions
rather than killing affected children and thus exposing their mothers
to the considerable risks of post-abortion syndrome.
"This test is an affront to the humanity and dignity of people with Down's syndrome, and ultimately to all people with disabilities."
