269. Selective Abortion - A Down Syndrome Dilemma

With further scientific breakthroughs and more accurate and widespread genetic testing increasingly available, it is becoming much more common to detect genetic abnormalities in a fetus during the early stages of pregnancy. As a consequence, conditions such as Down Syndrome are diagnosed much more frequently prenatally than in past decades. In parts of the world where abortion is still legal, more people are likely choosing to abort such fetuses with genetic abnormalities. So what does this mean?  Are the rates of Down Syndrome already decreasing dramatically? Will the rates continue to plummet with more genetic screening and subsequent abortions? And if this is the case, how do people in the Down Syndrome community feel about this?  Even if you are pro-choice, it’s a bit of a harrowing thought to think that a certain demographic of the population could decline so dramatically. 

Dr. Amy Redhead joins the podcast.

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