Campaign group Don't Screen Us Out has written an open letter to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, asking him to consider the concerns of many regarding new pre-natal testing for Down's syndrome.
Hunt is currently deciding on whether second-line cfDNA (NIPT – Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) is implemented into the NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP).
Increase in abortion of Down's babies
It is thought that the test, if implemented, will lead to an increase of babies who are diagnosed with Down's syndrome being aborted.
The letter asks Hunt and his department to stop ignoring the concerns of people with Down’s syndrome, their family and friends, and to start consulting with them.
'Profound long term effect on the community of people with Down's'
An extract from the letter reads:
"Based on the most recent figures for Down’s syndrome births (2013), this would mean a 13% decline in reported live births of babies with Down’s syndrome. Such a decline would have a profound long-term effect on the community of people with Down’s syndrome...
"Implementing cfDNA at this stage would effectively mean introducing a worsened form of informal eugenics into our culture than already exists."
Delay the test
The aim of the open letter is to ensure the community of people with Down's syndrome are not negatively impacted by this decision.
The Don’t Screen Us Out campaign is determined to ensure that the programme is consistent with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and wider human rights obligations.
It is also fighting for further support and information for parents with a disability diagnosis, so that abortions are avoided.
Sign the letter
Please sign the letter to increase its impact and exposure. Read more about non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and its concerns.
Related Links:
Open Letter: Jeremy Hunt Don't Screen Us Out (Don't Screen Us Out)
Early Day Motion calls for Down's screening delay
David Cameron questioned on screening out people with Down's Syndrome
Don't Screen Us Out initiative to protect babies with Down's