Down syndrome

A couple of weeks ago I was deeply disturbed by an article I read in the Deseret News regarding prenatal testing for Down syndrome. The article stated that currently 90% of infants with Down syndrome are aborted in the U.S. and 95% outside of the U.S. There is a push to improve the testing for Down syndrome so that all such infants can be aborted. The push comes from highly academic circles who want to rid the world of people with Down syndrome because "they are unproductive." As a parent of a son with Down syndrome I found this nearly incomprehensible. What is their measuring stick for unproductivity? Do people with Down syndrome not contribute to society? My son, Alec, has contributed greatly to my life, to the life of my family, to our community, and to his school.

Alec is a cheerful soul who is always happy to see people. He greets them with a hearty hello and an enthusiastic hug that is almost guaranteed to lift anyone's spirits. He has taught me to enjoy little things and that it's better to forgive and forget. He has taught my children responsibility and tolerance for others. Our community has welcomed him and, I believe, he has made the members of our community more tolerant of others and more aware of some of the struggles associated with disabilities. Alec has always been popular with his classmates. He doesn't judge or label them. I recently was talking to a boy from his high school. When he realized I was Alec's mother he told me Alec had been in his P.E. class the previous semester. He told me he thought Alec was the greatest person in the school because Alec was the only person in the entire class who even spoke to him the entire semester.

Alec may never become a doctor, a lawyer, or a corporate CEO but I believe he brightens a room just by walking in and smiling. He has helped me grow as a person and I believe he helps others grow as well.

Too bad there is not prenatal genetic testing for serial murderers, rapists, drug dealers, etc. Then we might really be able to rid the world of "unproductive" citizens.