Richard Dawkins: ‘It Would Be Immoral’ to Give Birth to A Child with Down’s Syndrome

[hrmjustin]

By Tina Nguyen | 8:28 pm, August 20th, 2014

Richard Dawkins inflamed the British internet last night when he suggested that it would be “immoral” to continue carrying a fetus to full term, if genetic screening proved that it carried the gene for Down’s Syndrome.

His suggestion came in response to a woman who didn’t know what she’d do if she were pregnant with a child with Down’s: “Abort it and try again,” he suggested. “It would be immoral to bring it into the world if you have the choice.”

With the advent of genetic screening, the practice is fairly common in England and Wales: The Telegraph estimates that nearly 1000 abortions due to Downs Syndrome are performed per year.

“Apparently I’m a horrid monster for recommending WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS to the great majority of Down Syndrome fetuses,” Dawkins tweeted much later, after the internet collectively exploded at him.

http://www.mediaite.com/online/richard-dawkins-it-would-be-immoral-to-give-birth-to-a-child-with-downs-syndrome/

[MADem]

1. Gee, what part of "woman's right to choose" does that obtuse individual not understand?

That whole "choice" thing is a two-way street, and loudmouths who don't have a womb in the game need to just step back.

His goal, plainly, is to offend people. I guess he's offended every parent of a DS child who loves their kid and doesn't have a problem with their genetic issues.

It's Not His Business.

[hrmjustin]

2. I think his friends should intervene with him and tell him to shut up now.

I hope no one defends this crap.

[MADem]

3. Really--talk about stepping in it!!!

If the "Getting involved in matters of choice" misstep isn't sufficiently "paternalistic-offensive," the whole "eugenics" vibe is the foul icing on the cake.

This is just all kinds of WRONG!!!!!

I wonder if he'd like it if someone suggested he be fixed, so he doesn't pass on that poor judgment to any offspring....I'm sure he'd be "But...but...butting" all over the place!

[hrmjustin]

4. I wonder if he is doiing this just for headlines.

[MADem]

5. I think his sun is starting to set, and he needs drama to garner a bit more attention.

Outrageous remarks will ensure he gets a guest appearance on this show or that, and those are good for a couple of grand a pop.

[rug]

6. Oh, there are plenty of defenders in the Religion thread.

Although most of them are minimizing it or would rather talk about the Pope.

[hrmjustin]

7. That surprises me because they have called him out before when wrong.

This was just plain wrong this time.

[Leontius]

8. Well when a child becomes an "it".