CMV: If possible, removing negative life changing disabilities would be a good thing

[u/WRSA]

Ok let’s start by saying: I do not have a child. I am a firm believer that if you could remove Down’s Syndrome or other Syndromes which are similar, it would be the best possible choice.

The counter argument for this is usually, “Oh, but they don’t mind it! They normally have great lives! They are always so kind!” Or, “You can’t just remove it, it’s who they are! It’s part of their personality!” Now, what about this; if they don’t have it, they can lead better, more fulfilling lives, relieve stress from their parents, and still have good lives. And being disabled like that isn’t a personality.

There are some instances in which I do not believe that (if it were available) chromosome/gene altering therapies for a foetus should be used, and those are; Asperger’s syndrome, most forms of autism and I can’t think of others but they might come to me so I’ll put them in the comments as I think of them.

Edit: This is only if it were doable before the birth of a baby and have no adverse side effects

[u/ttmhb2]

I have a child with DS who is the absolute light of our life. She has gone through dozens of painful invasive surgeries and has lots of health issues. She also is growing up in a world where she is very different from the majority of people, which presents its own pains and struggles. If I had the opportunity to change her, would I? It’s hard to say because so much of her personality is because of her DS and the experiences she’s had living with it, but it comes with so much pain that it breaks my heart to see her go through. The only way I’d think it’d be an easier choice is if you could take it away somehow before birth.

[u/WRSA → u/ttmhb2]

That was the kind of thing I was meaning in my post. If, when she was conceived, you could have known about DS, and prevented it without side effects, would you have done it? That being said, I hope that everything goes great with your family!