StarKiller2626 t1_j8aep5k wrote on February 12, 2023 at 9:21 PM

Reply to comment by ctoph in You're probably a eugenicist by 4r530n

They abort practically all children with birth defects and disabilities. It isn't forced by law AFAIK but it's highly encouraged by the govt and medical staff.

Amphy64 t1_j8uw18x wrote on February 17, 2023 at 2:49 AM

Really important to note, as a disabled person who was casually and out of nowhere asked if I'd abort a child like me, that there is no screening test for most conditions. I'm also disabled as a result of severe medical negligence not my original condition. It can cause cleft palettes, which might however be picked up on a scan.

Ableism is also not identical to ideas of eugenics. The focus is on getting rid of conditions deemed disabilities, rather than aiming at positive traits, and neurodivergence (which has links to physical conditions, including connective tissue disorders like mine) is worth considering here.

Wonder how many philosophers have been neurodivergent, and that has been a factor in their philosophy? Some are certainly thought to have been.

Edit: Oh, and connective tissue disorders and hyperflexibility? They carry a risk of injury, not everyone would be capable, but ballet, gymnastics, you'll find those with them among those excelling there.

StarKiller2626 t1_j8xpcgk wrote on February 17, 2023 at 6:18 PM

I agree, I find the reasons of disability or poor living conditions to be terrible for abortion. Especially at such scale. It feels dehumanizing, insulting and like a dangerous precedent to set. Not only are disabled people still morally valuable but they often bring great value with new ways of thinking.

As for more serious disabilities we'll never learn to cure it if we kill off everyone with whichever disability. It feels like a lazy excuse to support certain policies.

I grew up extremely poor and my brother was born with severe asthma and I had ADHD not serious I know but technically it's a disability. How long till people like us would be advocated for abortion because of disabilities? Things we've both grown out of.