I posted here because I didn't know it was on dj - I generally check lj first these days, and didn't think to go check if the same post was on dj. I thought it would be a little excessive to post my rant a second time there just for Numa! Do you have a preference to where I comment?
Right, on to the debate!
There are a number of different issues here, all getting tangled up. a) Should she have had the baby knowing it had Down's Syndrome? b) Would the answer to a) depend on her reasons for doing it? c) Is she neglecting her child?
a) Right, so the bit I was mainly objecting to was your assertion that she should have aborted. I simply do not believe that this is a clear-cut case. Let's ignore COMPLETELY her reasons for it, for now, and let's ignore the pro-life/pro-choice stances. What you're talking about is eugenics. Regardless of its applicability (or not) with Down's Syndrome, to a certain extent it's a little bit dangerous as we really shouldn't get too gung-ho about getting rid of those who we feel couldn't possibly enjoy living. But I won't dwell too much on that - I tend not to go for slippery-slope arguments.
About whether the quality of life is too low - as I said before, I really don't know. I don't know much about Down's Syndrome, but the internet (ah the glorious internet) seems to be telling me that they can form relationships, that they can get joy out of life, and not that they live a life of constant pain and suffering. Interesting. I've only worked with one man with Down's Syndrome before - and he was quite old, so obviously they can live longer lives - and he was very sweet and mild-mannered. Don't know any further details though.
So essentially I think I disagree with the stance that they would be better off not being born. I'm definitely disagreeing with your assertion that it is black and white - regardless of what experiences you've had, there's enough doubt to sway some people. I can't stress enough that I wouldn't want to be too care-free in my decisions about who should live and who should die - it is a VERY tricky and morally ambiguous case (one which is still being debated heatedly), and I don't think that you should take her decision as indication of close-mindedness.
reply part 1
Right, on to the debate!
There are a number of different issues here, all getting tangled up.
a) Should she have had the baby knowing it had Down's Syndrome?
b) Would the answer to a) depend on her reasons for doing it?
c) Is she neglecting her child?
a) Right, so the bit I was mainly objecting to was your assertion that she should have aborted. I simply do not believe that this is a clear-cut case. Let's ignore COMPLETELY her reasons for it, for now, and let's ignore the pro-life/pro-choice stances. What you're talking about is eugenics. Regardless of its applicability (or not) with Down's Syndrome, to a certain extent it's a little bit dangerous as we really shouldn't get too gung-ho about getting rid of those who we feel couldn't possibly enjoy living. But I won't dwell too much on that - I tend not to go for slippery-slope arguments.
About whether the quality of life is too low - as I said before, I really don't know. I don't know much about Down's Syndrome, but the internet (ah the glorious internet) seems to be telling me that they can form relationships, that they can get joy out of life, and not that they live a life of constant pain and suffering. Interesting. I've only worked with one man with Down's Syndrome before - and he was quite old, so obviously they can live longer lives - and he was very sweet and mild-mannered. Don't know any further details though.
So essentially I think I disagree with the stance that they would be better off not being born. I'm definitely disagreeing with your assertion that it is black and white - regardless of what experiences you've had, there's enough doubt to sway some people. I can't stress enough that I wouldn't want to be too care-free in my decisions about who should live and who should die - it is a VERY tricky and morally ambiguous case (one which is still being debated heatedly), and I don't think that you should take her decision as indication of close-mindedness.