Down Syndrome Should Not Be a Death Sentence

A society that judges human worth by ability, health, or convenience will ultimately undermine the dignity of every human life.

The argument: A diagnosis of Down syndrome should never be considered sufficient justification for ending a human life–because every person possesses inherent dignity regardless of disability, perceived or real suffering, or dependence on others.

WHY IT MATTERS

Between 60% and 90% of babies prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted in the U.S. This practical example of eugenics is not a private medical issue; it reflects deeper cultural beliefs that some lives are less valuable than others. When birth rates are collapsing and the average American woman has just 1.6 children, couples can feel immense pressure to create the “perfect” child. We have instead created a culture that increasingly views life as disposable when it fails to meet our unrealistic expectations.