AU

Passing the test

 
Alison Mitchell | 8 Jun 2013

Two medical news items caught my eye this morning. The first warns us that by the year 2020 nearly half of us can expect to develop cancer at some point. That’s a scary statistic. But I’m sure you know people who have survived cancer and returned to good health – I certainly do – and the quality of treatment improves all the time. One of the factors in this growing survival rate is catching the disease as early as possible, which gives any treatment the maximum chance to work. So that’s one focus of research – developing tests that will accurately diagnose cancer and catch it as early as possible. Early tests = maximum chance of preserving life.

So surely that makes the second news item very good news. It’s a far more accurate test that will catch a health problem as soon as possible. The only difference is the issue being tested for. This time, it’s Down’s Syndrome.

A new test has been developed that is far more accurate than the blood tests and amniocentesis tests that are used currently. So if you’re pregnant, you can now be nearly 100% sure whether your baby has Down’s Syndrome. Great – information is always helpful. BUT…

…it struck me that these medical advances are almost complete opposites. For some women, advance knowledge that their baby has a health issue gives them time to prepare to care for a child who may have particular needs. But sadly, there are others for whom this advance knowledge is seen as a reason to have an abortion. They choose not to have their child because he/she has a disability. Early tests = maximum chance of losing life.

The Down’s Syndrome article is very careful not to mention abortion – “He said his aim was to offer women clearer information to allow them to make choices about how they should proceed.” – but that’s the elephant in the room (or the article!). I have friends with children or siblings who have Down’s, and I find myself hurting on their behalf. Their value in God’s eyes is not limited by a test – and it shouldn’t be in ours either.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Psalm 139 v 13-14

Alison Mitchell

Alison Mitchell is a Senior Editor at The Good Book Company, where she has worked on a range of products including Bible-reading notes for children and families, and the Christianity Explored range of resources. She is the best-selling author of The Christmas Promise and the award-winning Jesus and the Lions' Den.