What taking part in this online deliberation has meant for me

Hard Chioces

It is now possible to make the diagnosis of several lethal anomalies very early in pregnancy. In such cases, it is possible to state (with a very degree of certainty) that the fetus will die at or shortly after birth. (e.g. a fetus with no kidneys and no fluid around the baby after 16 weeks gestation will almost certainly die within a few hours of birth.) In such cases, if the mother chooses to continue the pregnancy, then that's her choice. Alternatively, if she is forced to carry that pregnancy to term because there is no possibility for to terminate the pregnancy, then she will suffer what can only be described as an incredibly severe torture that will last for months.

Loved Sister

I'm 65 and had a downsyndrome sister 4 years younger. Although I found her a burden as a child the experience was very important to my maturity in adulthood. Our father died at a young age leaving four children aged 12 to 1 and very little money. We never went without the necessities of life. There was great love in our family, the amazing example being set by our mother, to think of killing our sister at any stage would have adhourant to every one of us. She was an absolute treasure in our family.

Participating in pre-birth testing

I am keen to participate in the online deliberation as I believe every person should be involved to get a realistic view of the current moral environment we are in.

Personally I believe pre-birth test diminishes the surprise of the childs sex on the actual day of birth. Not only that but if parents are expecting a girl and actually get a boy they may've spent months preparing the room, clothing, nappies etc for the wrong sex. Admittedly the percentage is low but it still exists and cannot be negated.

If however, pre-birth testing is to determine if you desire a boy before a girl as the first born but you are actually carrying a girl termination of that child may be considered. Also will this therefore lead to child birth control even though we know that the current youth environment is still not significant enough to support the work infrastructure of the existing population. Also with the significant increase of teenage suicides and deaths due to car accidents etc controlling birth numbers of parents is tenuous.

Infertile & possibly a Cystic Fibrosis carrier

Hi,

I'm someone who is possibly infertile (due to an undeveloped Vas vein) and possibly infertile, and also a carrier of Cystic Fibrosis.

Personally i would love to be a dad, due to a marriage breakup and some bad timing that hasn't been a possibility just yet. And lets be honest here - it's getting more unlikely by the day!

As a carrier of Cystic Fibrosis and having witnessed what it can do to someone i have no problem with testing for it. The guilt i would feel if i brought a child into this world with a death sentence attached is just not worth it (especially when i have the opportunity to avoid it).

The idea of selecting an embryo which meets the 'requirements' and 'discarding' (is that not a repulsive phrase?) the unused ones is repugnant, but not nearly as repugnant as not doing it. In my case anyway.

Nonetheless i still look forward to the day i can be a dad.

Maybe this point of view could help.

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