PRENATAL SCREENING AND ITS IMPACT ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

This paper examines and describes the perspective of persons with disabilities regarding the policy implications of prenatal screening. The most troubling, and controversial, aspect is when screening results in selective abortion. Persons with disabilities have a unique perspective on both sides of the public argument over abortion. The most common reasons given for selective abortions because of disability are based on assumptions that have, mostly, not been affirmed or refuted through research. The impact of the availability of prenatal testing on public attitudes about disability and practices towards disabled persons should be explored. Additional input from disabled people is needed.