BBC Radio 2 listeners have strongly objected to abortion for Down’s syndrome.
Broadcaster Jeremy Vine was examining the recent push by the Government and NHS for more accurate prenatal testing to identify Down’s syndrome.
Currently 92 per cent of children diagnosed with Down’s syndrome in England and Wales are aborted.
‘A great life’
Joining Vine on the show was Claire Farrington, a blogger whose son Theo has Down’s syndrome.
Farrington said it was “unbelievably disrespectful” that some people are calling the new prenatal tests “progress”.
“Some advances are not advances”
Charlotte, a student studying creative writing at Goldsmith’s University who was born with Down’s, called in to say she was upset about the recent calls for more testing, adding: “Down’s isn’t a reason to abort.”
The budding screenwriter said she loves to ski, play golf and travel, and said: “I have a great life”.
‘Wonderful’
A woman called Penny texted in to the programme saying: “I too am a mum of a child with Down’s syndrome. My daughter is four, and has been a fantastic addition to our family.
“When your child is born, the medical profession act as though this is a huge tragedy, but I would urge all parents not to be swayed by medical opinions and just to treat their child as their baby.
“You quickly stop seeing the diagnosis and you just see your wonderful baby.”
‘My hero’
Another parent contacted the programme to say: “My son Zac was born with Down’s 15 years ago and I’ve got such guilt that had we been given the chance to terminate, we’d have done it too.
“What’s upsetting is that the best 15 years of our lives wouldn’t have happened. I’d be without my hero, my stroppy 15-year-old lad who makes us laugh and smile.
“Thank goodness science didn’t deprive us of him.”
Vine commented: “Some advances are not advances, that’s what we’re coming to here”.
In Britain it is legal to abort an unborn child with Down’s syndrome up to birth.