Monday 24th November 2008 News Index

The number of children born with Down's Syndrome has increased since pre-natal testing for Down'ps was introduced in 1989. The reasons for this increase were investigated by the Down's Syndrome Society and it was found that a third of the 1,000 surveyed quoted religion or anti-abortion beliefs as the reason for continuing with the pregnancy despite knowing they had positive test results.

Another third of the participants said they felt that the quality of life that people with Down's could expect had increased. Interestingly nearly 20% of those asked, said they did not believe the results of the tests and ignored them, raising concerns over the way in which tests are viewed by parents.

The number of Down's Syndrome births had actually fallen in the period from 1989 to the beginning of this decade but have risen sharply since and are now quoted to be up 15% as a proportion of the birth rate. According to Carol Boys, Chief Executive of the Down's Syndrome Association, the figures reflect a change in society with education playing a major role in influencing people’s attitudes to Down's Syndrome.

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