Down syndrome rights ignored in review
15 June 2006A national assembly for disabled people is alarmed that the recently announced review of antenatal screening for Down Syndrome paints a negative picture about babies born with Down Syndrome.
The Disabled Persons' Assembly (DPA) agrees that the current screening practice needs to be urgently reviewed, but must incorporate a greater focus on the rights of people born with Down syndrome.
"We are alarmed that there has been very little positive information relayed to the public about the value of people with Down syndrome. This restricts parents' ability to make well-informed decisions regarding antenatal screening," says Mike Gourley, National President of DPA.
"Down syndrome is often seen a cost to society and something to be eradicated. But people with Down syndrome have great ability and potential, which should be respected by society," he says.
Mr Gourley is also alarmed that debate around the screening review has so far only focused on 'healthy' babies and their mothers.
"The nature of the screening programme means it is very difficult to have representatives with Down syndrome on the review committee. Who'd want to sit listening to others talk about eradicating them? Nevertheless, a committee discussing a process that directly affects people with Down syndrome must find ways to include the people who live with the syndrome," he says.
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