A new prenatal test for Down syndrome, the test which has been determined to be highly effective for all women, it not without its drawbacks. Namely, that people with Down syndrome and members of the National Down Syndrome Society are aware of the test, and also of its implications. These prenatal tests provide information to prospective parents; however, to what end?

How would you feel if you had a certain trait or characteristic that some people were aborting in order to avoid? The people who contributed to this article did not seem to regret being born, nor the children they had given birth to, who had conditions such as Down's, cystric fibrosis, mental retardation, and bi-polar disorder. However, the article claims that as many as 80% of women who find out they are carrying Down's babies abort. This is not to say, however, how many women proceed with such prenatal tests.

All of this raises the ethical question: Just because we can obtain medical information, does that mean we should? On the other hand, should we deny women information that may help them determine whether they want to continue a pregnancy? Women in this country, so far, as still guaranteed the legal right to obtain abortion. Are we denying them their rights if we refuse to develop technologies that may inform their decisions better? These are not easy questions to answer. What do you think?