Maltese Pro-Life Doctors Warn Engerer Of ‘Eugenics-Like’ Abortion Of Down Syndrome Foetuses
A group representing pro-life doctors in Malta has warned of a trend across a number of European countries whereby foetuses diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted.
Doctors for Life flagged their concerns in an open letter to PL MEP Cyrus Engerer, a pro-choice politician, after he expressed his support for people with Down Syndrome on World Down Syndrome Day.
“We want to express our gratitude for your work supporting individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) to be able to reach their potential and be provided with opportunities to do so,” they wrote.
“However, in light of your pro-choice advocacy, we would like to draw your attention to certain aspects of the abortion issue in relation to unborn children with DS. These children are specifically discriminated against, being aborted 3-5 times more frequently than those without the condition.”
View this post on Instagram
According to recent studies, the pregnancy termination rate of foetuses with Down syndrome is as high as 77% in France, 98% in Denmark, and above 90% in Italy, Germany, the UK and Belgium.
“Overall, Europe has, so far, reduced the children born with DS by more than 50%,” Doctors for Life said.
“If this were due to eradicating the condition itself through medical advances, that would be one thing. However, this is due to the eradication of the children themselves who are deemed undesirable due to their condition. This has disturbing, eugenic overtones reminiscent of some of the worst chapters in human history.”
They hit back at arguments that abortion is in any way beneficial to children with DS, pointing out that the life expectancy of people with Down syndrome is 60 years and referring to research that around 99% of children with the condition are happy with their lives.
Engerer refused to engage with the doctors, warning they had embarked on a “scaremongering campaign intended solely to rouse emotions by deceit”.
“Our fight for the rights of all persons with disabilities will remain at the top of our priorities and the results achieved for inclusion, equality and also in my capacity, as S&D negotiator for the European Disability Card, speak for themselves.”
“When it comes to bodily autonomy and sexual health and reproductive rights of all women, including women with disabilities, I urge the anti-choice doctors to start basing their arguments on science and evidence, as per all statements made by the World Health Organisation on the matter.”
Cover photo: Left: Cyrus Engerer and PL CEO Randolph De Battista promoting World Down Syndrome Day, Right: A pro-life protest (Photo: Doctors for Life)
Should Malta loosen its abortion laws?
READ NEXT: Watch: Man Successfully Completes 42-Kilometre La Valette Marathon On Stilts
