1 Jaeson Pajar S00207419
Many people believe that pre-natal screening is not a form of eugenics and that pre-natal screening is merely a test to help couple prepare for future medical problems their child may face. Admittedly, having this test does make it easier for parents to plan for the special care their child requires. Although, many couples are faced with challenges of the continuity of pregnancy when the possible health complications of their child are identified. Some lean towards the option of terminating their pregnancy as they will be struck with sudden financial inconveniences due to the health services required by kids with down syndrome and other health complications.
The cost saving benefits of pre-natal testing is indeed making a eugenic argument. Decreasing the financial struggle placed on hospitals and families is a side benefit of eugenic. Bebbington’s study (2011) shows that the mean annual health cost for individuals with down syndrome is approximately 3.2 more than the general population. Based on another study by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average medical care costs were 12times higher for children with health defects, compared to children with no health complications (CDC, 2017). Due to financial difficulties, 87% of children with down syndrome were aborted (Don’t Screen Us Out, 2016). These babies are previously wanted by their parents and their parents made a commitment to raising this baby and wants to do the best for it such as the mother cutting down on alcohol use and attend regular check-ups for the baby. However, due to financial issues the mother may possibly seek an abortion. Now can you really argue that pre-natal screening is solely designed to plan for the care the baby requires in the future?
Knowing the Health implications that will follow this birth, by not allowing it to take place this genetic trait will slowly be decreased in its incidence in the population proving eugenics and improving genetic quality of the human population. Birth defects are rising in numbers over recent years. Birth defects range from heart problems to speech and even behavioural issues. Down syndrome is also a common birth defect that arisen to high prevalence in Australia. There is roughly 1 in 700 births of down syndrome in Australia. The population of people with down syndrome in Australia is growing 13,140 out of 22,340,000 people within Australia (Down Syndrome Australia, 2014). This dent in Australia’s genetic pool degrades the possibility for eugenics. The increase of the birth of children with these defects decreases the chance to improve Australia’s quality in the genetic pool.
By having a pre-natal screening potential parents will be able to observe the genetic abnormalities that their child may develop. By knowing of these developments, the parents are given the choice to reduce this production of gene and reduce its presence in future populations. Finding out this will prove beneficial in improving Australia’s gene pool. By the parents retracting their choice in bringing forth this child into the world they are reducing this genetic trait incidence and eventually this gene will soon be eradicated from existence and may only have potential to develop from those who go through natural births and avoid any pre-natal screenings or tests to see the traits and conditions of their future child. Pre-natal testing is offered to all pregnant woman and is non-invasive, only if the test returns positive is further tests and further steps taken to require the diagnostic of the threat for the child and the future mother. Tests and screenings grant the population with the chance to be greater in all aspects, the one born will not be suffering the psychological damage of the defect and family is not suffering from financial strain in the caretaking of birth defects. Therefore, it is essential to make a pre-natal diagnostic and provide genetic counselling.
Genetic counselling is by which health professionals advise the potential parents of the inherited disorder and of its consequences, the nature of the disorder and the probability of transmission and development (Inglis, Morris & Austin, 2016). Genetic disorders are dangerous in that it can be present in one generation or gender and not another, most like Duchenne muscular dystrophy have no current treatment or cure by finding this gene and avoiding its transfer and carry through generations vas populations can be welcomed with improved genomes (Bianco, Christofolini, Conceição & Barbosa, 2017). As it was found there is 1 out of 100 children world-wide born with a genetic disease. Genetic diseases account for 20% of all infant deaths. 20%. This is a relatively large percentage for the total world population of post-natal deaths (Inglis, Morris & Austin, 2016). Being able to reduce this number by getting to the disease early is what is most important about pre-natal screenings. The death or hospitalization of your child isn’t something you would want when they are brought into this world of ours. Which is why following eugenics and catching the lower quality gene, flowing through our DNA is necessary. We can improve the quality of life throughout the world through a simple screening and follow-up steps. We can decrease the incidence of all genetic make ups that decrease our populations genetics, by avoiding the birth of these defects.
