Government should reject eugenicist Human Genetics Commission report

The government should reject the Human Genetics Commission report which promotes universal genetic testing before pregnancy. As Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's communications manager, told the media earlier today:

"The Human Genetics Commission is failing abysmally in its job when it says that there are 'no specific social, ethical or legal principles' against pre-pregnancy genetic testing.

Such tests increase the threat that prejudicial attitudes will harm individuals. Already, 90% of unborn children with detectable congenital anomalies like Down's syndrome are killed (by abortion). The new tests give wider scope to such discrimination:

• The tests may lead to people being subjected to tests as condition, say, of a pre-nuptial agreement or an insurance policy;
• They may increase the likelihood of abortion merely on suspicion of disability;
• People who perversely believe that earlier abortions are 'better' than late abortions will encourage such screening;
• Individuals may be subject to pressure to submit to sterilisation, contraception or abortion.

We risk becoming a eugenicist state like China, where the law mandates genetic testing and pressures couples diagnosed with genetic anomalies to forego childbearing. The future society depicted in Andrew Niccol's film Gattaca, in which genetic discrimination is all-pervasive, is ceasing to be science-fiction and rapidly becoming science-fact. We call upon the government to reject the commission's report."

Comments on this blog? Email them to johnsmeaton@spuc.org.uk
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