Aborting The Facts On Down’s Syndrome

“DOWN births increase in a caring Britain,” says the Times.

“More mothers are choosing to keep their babies when diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome,” says the Mail.

“Children’s quality of life is better and acceptance has risen,” says The Mirror

Elsewhere in the Times, Minette Marrin notes:

Actually, the proportion of pregnant women who choose to abort their foetuses when antenatal screening has detected Down’s syndrome has remained constant since screening started, at about 91%. Also the number of Down’s abortions has tripled since 1989. The total number of babies born with Down’s each year has indeed increased since then, but not by much

So what of the headline-making research? Ben Goldacre says:

Their quoted source was no less impeccable than a BBC Radio 4 documentary presented by Felicity Finch (her what plays Ruth Archer), broadcast on Monday. “The number of babies with down syndrome has steadly fallen, that is until today, when for the first time ever that number is higher than before, when testing was introduced.” I see. “I’m keen to find out why more parents are making this decision.” They’re not. “I was so intrigued by these figures that I’ve been following some parents to find out what lies behind their choice.” Felicity. Wait a second. The entire founding premise of your entire 27 minute documentary is wrong.

So much for feel-good Britain and lazy reproting. More pregnancies mean more Down’s babies, more abortions, and more non-abortions. Facts…

Anorak

Posted: 30th, November 2008 | In: Media | Comment | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed:RSS 2.0