(March 27, 2012 at 12:29 pm)NoMoreFaith Wrote: There isn't a single valid reason to abort a child based on sexual preference (although a trickier question would be if they found a paedophilia gene.. that would make for more difficult moral question).
Even if the gene was discovered, unless there was evidence to show it directly was a factor in the act of committing a pedophilic act for the majority of the cases, aborting it would be for as much of a good reason as aborting it because you fear the child will be gay.
Pre-crime is not a crime.
(March 27, 2012 at 12:45 pm)Grundy Wrote: Would you abort over any other difficulty for the kid? Down syndrome? A tendency towards addiction?
Yes to the first one. No to the second. Why?
Dealing with a child with a predisposed vulnerability to addiction can be done with my resources.
Taking care of a child whom is cursed with a genetic defect that consigns them to a limited life style and limited self-determination?
Never, unless it already was born and I had the resources.
Because I think about their life post-me, having a child who is capable of self-determination and self-managing in a strong manner means they can survive well after I am gone. One who lacks those abilities, unless happened upon by a kind soul or assigned a care taker, will be unable to thrive.
And having a child who cannot possibly thrive, I think, is a grave disservice to the developing intelligence that inhabits that body. Also, I look at the suffering in other places in the world, where individuals who may have great intellectual capabilities die for lack of food.
They do not thrive. They suffer. Eventually, they die.
Failure to thrive is a massive concern of any parent, and it should be -- a parent should always worry, make sure they're preparing their offspring to survive instead of to die.
(March 27, 2012 at 12:47 pm)Tiberius Wrote: Seeing as people with Down syndrome can live perfectly fulfilling lives, and addiction can be overcome, no, I wouldn't.
If the simple emotion of happiness is your sole qualifier, then sure.
Overcoming addiction, as a basic idea, has at least an end in sight.
You cannot solve Down syndrome at the moment.
And I would argue, until that is possible, it is in the best interests of the family to spare themselves the challenge.
Raising children is expensive enough as it is.
Slave to the Patriarchy no more
