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Down Syndrome Has Almost Been Eliminated In Iceland, And People’s Reactions Are Heartbreaking
In countries like the US and UK, people with Down syndrome are gaining more visibility year by year. In Iceland, however, they’ve almost completely disappeared. A recent CBS News probe has revealed why only 2 Icelandic children are born with Down syndrome each year on average, and their findings have sparked a fierce ethics debate online.
Landspítali, or the National University Hospital of Iceland, has been offering prenatal screening tests to pregnant women since the early 2000s, an essential step in detecting development problems in a fetus – including Down syndrome. Unlike the estimated 67% of women in the US who choose to terminate their pregnancies upon diagnosis of the disorder, nearly 100% of Icelandic women do so, making Down syndrome extremely rare in the island nation. “My understanding is that we have basically eradicated, almost, Down syndrome from our society,” geneticist Kari Stefansson told CBS.
Contrary to Internet accusations of forced abortions and ‘social cleansing,’ all of these abortions performed in Iceland were completely of the mother’s own volition. “We try to do as neutral counseling as possible, but some people would say that just offering the test is pointing you towards a certain direction,” said head of Landspítali’s Prenatal Diagnosis Unit Hulda Hjartardottir.
Despite the often poor prognosis for children with Down syndrome, and the costs associated with their care that are borne by their families, some are still arguing that their existence should be valued by society, and that terminating all Down’s pregnancies is unethical.
Scroll down to learn more, and tell us your thoughts at the end.
RELATED:
Down syndrome is disappearing in Iceland, with only 2 affected children being born each year on average
Unlike the estimated 67% of US women who terminate their pregnancies upon diagnosis of the disorder, nearly 100% of Icelandic women do so
“My understanding is that we have basically eradicated, almost, Down syndrome from our society,” says geneticist Kari Stefansson
These statistics come straight from the National University Hospital of Iceland, where 70% of Icelandic children are born
Despite Internet accusations that these abortions are forced, each one is completely by choice, as mothers do receive neutral counseling
Watch this CBS News video for more information:
In response, people have been sharing stories of their own loved ones living with Down syndrome
Some have even expressly condemned the Icelandic phenomenon, dubbing it ‘eugenics’
Others, however, were able to see through the eyes of an expectant mother faced with an impossible decision
Wrong or reasonable? Tell us your view on the issue in the comments below!
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Troux 8 years ago
This is the same debate as abortion in general. Call it selfish, but some people have certain expectations about the kind of life they want to live. If someone is prepared to be a parent but is not prepared to hold their child's hand all the way into their 30's and to countless therapy sessions, then they should be able to make an honest decision about that rather than start compromising their life as well as others'. A child born into a family of doubts already has two strikes against it and that's not fair to the child. This is just as immoral as choosing what kind of dog you want, rather than just going to the pound and taking any mutt they give. Those who ARE willing to put forth their time as parents or as volunteers to support lives of lesser fortune should be venerated as saints among us, but that means we also must accept that not everyone will be that strong. That doesn't mean they are bad people, it just means they are honest about their limitations as mere humans.
Susan Forbes 8 years ago
THIS. And not every DS child is the same, they have a spectrum of abilities and lack of abilities and may have other health issues that impact their quality of life.
Load More Replies...
Dayla Walker 8 years ago
I personally don't think it's any of my business what other people do with their lives. If I was pregnant, and I was ready to be a parent, and the doctor said my baby would have Down Syndrome, I wouldn't get an abortion. But, that's me. Not everyone has the same opinion about things and not everyone feels the same. If it were the government forcing those women to get abortions, I would definitely not support it. But, these women are getting abortions of their own volition so I have no choice but to support them. They're exercising their rights.
Ruth Mitchell 8 years ago
I have a 23 year old with Downssyndrome I refused the tests with all 5 of mine coz I wouldn't terminate a pregnancy.Yes I was devastated after she was born but I wouldn't change a thing about her.Doctoright think they know what's best for pregnant mothers and I think they try and force us to have these tests for their own piece of mind.
Load More Replies...
Royal_Emperor 8 years ago
There is nothing wrong in getting tested. Termination or no termination at least the mother will have time to decide and prepare. Ethics my a*s. Science is no fluke, It takes time and lot of money to develop better testing procedure with lots and lots of dead ends. Nothing comes easy or perfectly. Most of the times best solutions, are not ideal solutions. (Sorry went a little off topic)
Caitlin Suzanne 8 years ago
My youngest child had what is usually a familial eye tumor, found when she was 5 months old. In her case, it was a fluke. The first 5 years were hard, and she lost that eye at 18 months. I always reminded mylself, ‘At least it’s not a cognitive problem,’ counting my blessings all the way. Today, this child is grown, married, a parent and doing wonderfully. Today, I oversee my mother’s properties, medical appointments and finances, because she has dementia. The time involved in the tasks required keep me from working a ‘real’ job. So, I guess I’m saying I see it from both sides, and have deep sympathy no matter what choices a family makes, if they’re able to. Blessings.
Load More Replies... Emma 8 years ago
It may seem heartbreaking, but the truth is, whatever a woman wants to do with her own body is HER decision and hers only. If a woman chooses an abortion, then it is her right and we need to respect that. It is wrong to try to control someone else's body when it's not our own.
Sleepy Grove 8 years ago
Also, there is a difference between one's decision to abort a child with DS and thinking people with DS should not be allowed to live in general. You can value these people for who they are and think they are just as valuable as a healthy person and still be of the opinion that you would not be able to raise a child with DS.
Load More Replies...
Ana T. 8 years ago
life is not black a d white is gray. my grandparents force my mother to married because she was pregnant of me , she blame me of her misfortune life my father was an alcoholic . she beat me sometimes for no reason , one day she was really mad and yell at my face " i was going to abort you and you grandma dont let me. " i was neglected and beat. i dont have a relationship with her. people should judge a woman to have a child people should't judge women choice of an abortion because you cant force someone to love an unwanted child.
makki 8 years ago
Lots of love to you Ana! stay strong! I support you!!! <3 <3 <3
Load More Replies...
Felix Feline 8 years ago
I know several now elderly people who have a DS child whom they love very much. But the parents are afraid of what will happen to their child once they are gone. Will they be institutionalized? Sent to some group home? Will they be abused? The worries wear them down, aging them prematurely. If no one is forcing the woman to abort the DS fetus, then it is none of our business what they choose to do.
Spring Stroud Moore 8 years ago
Honestly no matter if your child has problems or not you will always worry about what's going to happen to them once you are gone!
Load More Replies...
Elli Tiuku 8 years ago
Well, this is for everyone to decide for themselves. I would choose an abortion, without question. A child with down syndrome is nature's way to show this one was supposed to die. Sometimes mistakes happen, mutations etc. Down syndrome is a mistake, these things happen. For some reason people insist on not seeing them as a mistake. They close their eyes from the truth and pretend they can live a normal happy life. But there is nothing dark or brutal in dealing with this matter as a realist adult who sees the truth.
Eva Tóthová 8 years ago
i would give you all my thumbs up Elli Tiuku... DS is a genetic MISTAKE. It is fault on DNA. If you decide to take this burden as a blessing from god to strenghten you up, it's up to you (there are people crucifixing themselves to manifest their faith, so your way is definitely more peacefull and nicer). But it is your decision and you are the one who will live with it(and raising it :D ). Just as you wouldn't like to be judged by others for deciding being a martyr, don't judge others yourself, for choosing other way of dealing with this problem. I would abort a child if diagnosed with possibility of DS without blinking of an eye. of course i would be sad and whatever, but i would know, that my next child, if it would be healthy, would become independent person that would do well in life(and don't start with c**p abour how much DS kids can chieve, because statistics speak otherwise- there are spectacular individuals, but most of these kids has soooo many defects)
Load More Replies...
Tina Fusco 8 years ago
I would definitely abort. I've spent years taking care of the elderly, injured, dying, ill, and infants in my family. Caretaking is the hardest job there is. I'm also disabled myself, high iq but still have a learning disability. I simply do not have the strength or resources to care for someone who is disabled. In fact, I have decided not to have children at all so I don't pass on the family history of alcoholism and mental illness. If someone wants to have a disabled child, then they should. If people know they can't handle it, they should be allowed to abort. simple. no one has a right to life.
Ben Smith 8 years ago
No one has a right to life??? Are you insane? It's only a guaranteed right in the founding document of America.
Load More Replies...
Pragya Fating 8 years ago
I don't know why would people think just giving a kid existence is such a chivalric thing to do. Life doesn't matter a dime if it's not productive ND enjoyable. I m not saying this for down's in particular. Just talking about life in general. If the kid can have a life with it, it's good. But so many lives are wasted like this. Don't think about what you can do for the child, instead think can he have a life that he can like ND would want to live. Nobody can be there for anyone all the time. Besides nobody wants to be a burden or a cause of pain to the people they love.
Monilip 8 years ago
Well, sorry for comparation, but Hitler though the same. He though "Jews and Slaws are worse people, they should not reproduce, they should be killed". I say - noone has right to to tell one "Your life is not worthy". To end someone's life, except for self-defense (for example if mother's life is in danger because of pregnancy, or if someone attacts you, at defense war, etc)
Load More Replies...
frank0ys 8 years ago
...It's up to parents if they can or cannot raise the child afflicted with Down syndrome. What matters is that they love the child and raise it with proper care, love, kindness and courage. We can all talk all day if terminating a child tested positive with Down syndrome is ethical or not. But at the end of the day, it's up to the would-be-parents to choose if they can handle caring for the child.
Troux 8 years ago
This is the same debate as abortion in general. Call it selfish, but some people have certain expectations about the kind of life they want to live. If someone is prepared to be a parent but is not prepared to hold their child's hand all the way into their 30's and to countless therapy sessions, then they should be able to make an honest decision about that rather than start compromising their life as well as others'. A child born into a family of doubts already has two strikes against it and that's not fair to the child. This is just as immoral as choosing what kind of dog you want, rather than just going to the pound and taking any mutt they give. Those who ARE willing to put forth their time as parents or as volunteers to support lives of lesser fortune should be venerated as saints among us, but that means we also must accept that not everyone will be that strong. That doesn't mean they are bad people, it just means they are honest about their limitations as mere humans.
Susan Forbes 8 years ago
THIS. And not every DS child is the same, they have a spectrum of abilities and lack of abilities and may have other health issues that impact their quality of life.
Load More Replies... Dayla Walker 8 years ago
I personally don't think it's any of my business what other people do with their lives. If I was pregnant, and I was ready to be a parent, and the doctor said my baby would have Down Syndrome, I wouldn't get an abortion. But, that's me. Not everyone has the same opinion about things and not everyone feels the same. If it were the government forcing those women to get abortions, I would definitely not support it. But, these women are getting abortions of their own volition so I have no choice but to support them. They're exercising their rights.
Ruth Mitchell 8 years ago
I have a 23 year old with Downssyndrome I refused the tests with all 5 of mine coz I wouldn't terminate a pregnancy.Yes I was devastated after she was born but I wouldn't change a thing about her.Doctoright think they know what's best for pregnant mothers and I think they try and force us to have these tests for their own piece of mind.
Load More Replies... Royal_Emperor 8 years ago
There is nothing wrong in getting tested. Termination or no termination at least the mother will have time to decide and prepare. Ethics my a*s. Science is no fluke, It takes time and lot of money to develop better testing procedure with lots and lots of dead ends. Nothing comes easy or perfectly. Most of the times best solutions, are not ideal solutions. (Sorry went a little off topic)
Caitlin Suzanne 8 years ago
My youngest child had what is usually a familial eye tumor, found when she was 5 months old. In her case, it was a fluke. The first 5 years were hard, and she lost that eye at 18 months. I always reminded mylself, ‘At least it’s not a cognitive problem,’ counting my blessings all the way. Today, this child is grown, married, a parent and doing wonderfully. Today, I oversee my mother’s properties, medical appointments and finances, because she has dementia. The time involved in the tasks required keep me from working a ‘real’ job. So, I guess I’m saying I see it from both sides, and have deep sympathy no matter what choices a family makes, if they’re able to. Blessings.
Load More Replies... Emma 8 years ago
It may seem heartbreaking, but the truth is, whatever a woman wants to do with her own body is HER decision and hers only. If a woman chooses an abortion, then it is her right and we need to respect that. It is wrong to try to control someone else's body when it's not our own.
Sleepy Grove 8 years ago
Also, there is a difference between one's decision to abort a child with DS and thinking people with DS should not be allowed to live in general. You can value these people for who they are and think they are just as valuable as a healthy person and still be of the opinion that you would not be able to raise a child with DS.
Load More Replies... Ana T. 8 years ago
life is not black a d white is gray. my grandparents force my mother to married because she was pregnant of me , she blame me of her misfortune life my father was an alcoholic . she beat me sometimes for no reason , one day she was really mad and yell at my face " i was going to abort you and you grandma dont let me. " i was neglected and beat. i dont have a relationship with her. people should judge a woman to have a child people should't judge women choice of an abortion because you cant force someone to love an unwanted child.
makki 8 years ago
Lots of love to you Ana! stay strong! I support you!!! <3 <3 <3
Load More Replies... Felix Feline 8 years ago
I know several now elderly people who have a DS child whom they love very much. But the parents are afraid of what will happen to their child once they are gone. Will they be institutionalized? Sent to some group home? Will they be abused? The worries wear them down, aging them prematurely. If no one is forcing the woman to abort the DS fetus, then it is none of our business what they choose to do.
Spring Stroud Moore 8 years ago
Honestly no matter if your child has problems or not you will always worry about what's going to happen to them once you are gone!
Load More Replies... Elli Tiuku 8 years ago
Well, this is for everyone to decide for themselves. I would choose an abortion, without question. A child with down syndrome is nature's way to show this one was supposed to die. Sometimes mistakes happen, mutations etc. Down syndrome is a mistake, these things happen. For some reason people insist on not seeing them as a mistake. They close their eyes from the truth and pretend they can live a normal happy life. But there is nothing dark or brutal in dealing with this matter as a realist adult who sees the truth.
Eva Tóthová 8 years ago
i would give you all my thumbs up Elli Tiuku... DS is a genetic MISTAKE. It is fault on DNA. If you decide to take this burden as a blessing from god to strenghten you up, it's up to you (there are people crucifixing themselves to manifest their faith, so your way is definitely more peacefull and nicer). But it is your decision and you are the one who will live with it(and raising it :D ). Just as you wouldn't like to be judged by others for deciding being a martyr, don't judge others yourself, for choosing other way of dealing with this problem. I would abort a child if diagnosed with possibility of DS without blinking of an eye. of course i would be sad and whatever, but i would know, that my next child, if it would be healthy, would become independent person that would do well in life(and don't start with c**p abour how much DS kids can chieve, because statistics speak otherwise- there are spectacular individuals, but most of these kids has soooo many defects)
Load More Replies... Tina Fusco 8 years ago
I would definitely abort. I've spent years taking care of the elderly, injured, dying, ill, and infants in my family. Caretaking is the hardest job there is. I'm also disabled myself, high iq but still have a learning disability. I simply do not have the strength or resources to care for someone who is disabled. In fact, I have decided not to have children at all so I don't pass on the family history of alcoholism and mental illness. If someone wants to have a disabled child, then they should. If people know they can't handle it, they should be allowed to abort. simple. no one has a right to life.
Ben Smith 8 years ago
No one has a right to life??? Are you insane? It's only a guaranteed right in the founding document of America.
Load More Replies... Pragya Fating 8 years ago
I don't know why would people think just giving a kid existence is such a chivalric thing to do. Life doesn't matter a dime if it's not productive ND enjoyable. I m not saying this for down's in particular. Just talking about life in general. If the kid can have a life with it, it's good. But so many lives are wasted like this. Don't think about what you can do for the child, instead think can he have a life that he can like ND would want to live. Nobody can be there for anyone all the time. Besides nobody wants to be a burden or a cause of pain to the people they love.
Monilip 8 years ago
Well, sorry for comparation, but Hitler though the same. He though "Jews and Slaws are worse people, they should not reproduce, they should be killed". I say - noone has right to to tell one "Your life is not worthy". To end someone's life, except for self-defense (for example if mother's life is in danger because of pregnancy, or if someone attacts you, at defense war, etc)
Load More Replies... frank0ys 8 years ago
...It's up to parents if they can or cannot raise the child afflicted with Down syndrome. What matters is that they love the child and raise it with proper care, love, kindness and courage. We can all talk all day if terminating a child tested positive with Down syndrome is ethical or not. But at the end of the day, it's up to the would-be-parents to choose if they can handle caring for the child.
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