Down Syndrome Ante-Natal Screening Debate Heats Up

Midwives attending antenatal screening seminars in the North Island this month have been met with unexpected participants.  The seminars predominently address the Down Syndrome screening programme and are funded by the National Screening Unit (NSU).

These seminars are co-presented by the NZ College of Midwives and the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners.  People with Down Syndrome and parents and caregivers of those with Down Syndrome are attending the seminars.  They want the midwives in attendance to know that people with DS have inherent dignity and should not be targeted for termination in what should be a nurturing place – the womb.

Those attending the free seminars are handing out a fact sheet “11 Facts for Midwives, GPs and Parents to Know” in the hope that the midwives will see that pre-born babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome have a right to be born.  An interesting discussion is being held over at Stuff.co.nz about this subject.

The National Screening Unit has rolled out a screening programme for all pregnant women in New Zealand to detect Down Syndrome in pre-born babies.  90% of babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome in-utero go on to be aborted.  Which of course has to be the aim of the programme.  Why would the NSU invest so much into the programme if this was not the intention?

It is the opinion of Family Life International NZ and Saving Downs (whom we are working with on this issue) that the screening programme is in actuality an eugenics programme.  On August 4th, we are co-hosting a one day seminar “Loving Every Child:  Defying Eugenics” with Saving Downs.  Attendance is essential for doctors, midwives, parents, caregivers and all people who want to learn more about the targeted assault on pre-born babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome.  Find out more here.