How far would you go if a pre-natal test for Autism emerged?

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Are we assuming this test comes with the implication that autistic fetuses would be aborted? If it is, then your poll question makes sense.

There's a member here with such, and I see that the world is a far better place with her being in it. I'm sure her life is painful, just as mine is, but this pain is what makes us unique and gives us a perspective on things that those who won't experience such will never know, just as we will never know what their experience is like.

There's many kinds of existence, and all are just as valid and equal as the others.

Personally, I find it beyond ironic when those with AS speak of the more severe types of autism as a tragedy, yet don't realise what less severe autism equates to in many cases. One just has to watch the documentary, "Make Me Normal", and see how the highest functioning individuals with autism can experience life.

We're all in it together, as we all have the same label.

Testing for doneness topic

As I wrote in another thread, as long as family size is smaller and parents use children as an "investment", they will demand and use any means deemed necessary to ensure their "child dollars" are "invested wisely", due to "scarce resources".

I know this is the devil's advocate speaking. Even my former GP paraphrased the above words.

Remember, people are no longer willing to accept "defeat" and "poor quality". I think this is a harsh way of thinking, but this is what is going on.

One wonders: "Goods satisfactory or money refunded"?

There are, at present, tests for all sorts of diseases/conditions. I have never screened my pregnancies.

How socially conscious of you, Daniel!

and all those children that because of no birth control (before the fact) were given the gift of life and suffer in real poverty and dispair and die in wretched abuse and neglect in the refugee camps of the world? is their value less than a person whose parents can test for their debilitation before they are even born?

What do you think?

slowmutant,

I have my moments of sympathy.

I would like to think everyone has their moments of humanity.

I would say I fall in a more neutral position on the test itself (maybe leaning toward positive for the sake of preparation). That said, I am against abortion with very few exceptions, autism (amongst other things) not being one of them.

to all these men who have opinions about abortion.
If you don't wish to have one - don't.

Merle

I am generaly against abortion, but I acknowledge that there are mitigating circumstances.

Agreed - if I were pregnant, I would happily have a test for Down's for the same reason. Not so I could abort the baby if it were revealed to have it, but so that I would have extra time to research and prepare for the special needs I would know my child would have.

The whole problem is not a 'test', it's the idea that a society would even have a need to think about testing for nonconformity in the first place. And if it does happen who determines who will create the criteria?

The whole problem is not a 'test', it's the idea that a society would even have a need to think about testing for nonconformity in the first place. And if it does happen who determines who will create the criteria?

Why are all the answers in the poll so angry and negative? Can't you see a plus side to having prior knowledge of your child's condition? I think it would be a great idea for parents to know in advance what kind of special care their child might need, and to be given time to research and prepare for the arrival of an autistic child. Many parents are completely thrown for a loop by their child's 'problems' and differences, and often don't have any idea what they are dealing with. Surely being pre-warned and prepared can only be a good thing?

I agree.