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Re: PERFECT BABIESFrom: Joanne Bulley, MD (islesannie@yahoo.com)Mon May 31 21:49:41 2004
After all -- until fairly recently those born with various deformities were "left to die" -- after birth because no one knew BEFORE birth. Those that weren't left to die were ostracized - or thought to symbolize the mother's sins -- so the mother was ostracized as well. So there is nothing new about choices based on social stigma - or "unfitness to live" -- as decided by the society or the parent(s). And once medical care was available -- much of society "institutionalized" these individuals -- and many had life filled with neglet and cruelty. Then there was medical care that was covered -- and more humane ways of caring for individuals. Now we have this horrendous insurance system -- wherein the person affected becomes "uninsurable" after a certain amount is spent on him / her. It bankrupts the parents. They can't give the love and affection that the "normal" child needs etc. Or possibilty of losing a home. It often breaks a relationship -- as the grief and greiving responses will indeed create stresses -- that few relastionships can withstand. Being a Devil's Advocate here --- but there is NOTHING new about the issue of "eugenics" -- nor is it something that I could give an ABSOLUTE answer regarding rightness or wrongness. Personally -- I think aborting for the cleft issue ONLY or for sex alone (without major X-linked defect) is really out of line. But if I had a patient making such a decision - I'd have to counsel --- then let her (and her family or support system) make the decision based on her/theri ethical beliefs. I can not and will not dictate things which must be left to the indivdual and her spiritual - religious belief. I suspect that the patient would ultimately realize how uncoomfortable I would be with the decision that she/they would change docs. Long winded ... but the ethical discussion on this will be going on for some time! Joanne
At Mon, 31 May 2004, DoctorJoe@aol.com wrote:
>
-- Joanne Bulley, MD Keene, NH, USA
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