Jerome Lejeune is the geneticist who identified Trisomy 21, Down's Syndrome. 92% of children with Down's Syndrome are aborted. NINETY TWO PERCENT. Innocent children slaughtered, as the result of one single test. Because they are not perfect. In light of recent legislation in Ohio seeking to ban abortions when a diagnosis of Down's Syndrome is made in utero, I think it's appropriate to hear from Dr. Lejeune himself. With this, I whole heartedly, 1000% agree.
“It cannot be denied that the price of these diseases is high—in suffering for the individual and in burdens for society. Not to mention what parents suffer! But we can assign a value to that price: It is precisely what a society must pay to remain fully human.”
and further....
“It is not medicine we should fear, but the folly of mankind. Every day, the experience of our predecessors increases our ability to change nature by using his own laws. But using this power wisely is what each generation must learn in its turn. We are certainly more powerful today than ever before, but we are not wiser: Technology is cumulative, wisdom is not;”
“We need to be clear : the quality of a civilization can be measured by the respect it has for the weakest members. There is no other criterion.”
Not one of us is perfect. Not a single one. And yet, it is through our imperfections that the love of Christ is made whole. Through those in need that others learn to give. What happens to our humanity when no one needs another? When we're all perfect and self-sustaining? Humanity is a tribe, an interconnected organism, even though we are individuals. What does it do to our humanity, our ability to love, unconditionally, when we participate in a genocide to wipe out those that are imperfect? And then tell ourselves we're doing it "to be kind", to "put the child out of it's misery?" I've mused on this before at length here.
Heart breaking. These are HUMAN BEINGS. Precious children of God, who deserve a right to life as much as any other child.
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