>``...However, according to the social model of disability that you
>advocate, it is not biological qualities of fetuses but social
>relations that disable individuals (temporarily or permanently or
>progressively), so it follows that it is impossible to "wipe out" the
>disabled through selective abortion without also abolishing disabling
>social relations...'' Yoshie
>
>______
>
>The key problem is that pre-natal screening, a medical application of
>biology, was only developed that is socially constructed to predict
>the appearance of Abby Normal then get rid of her. (Remember, Young
>Dr. Frankenstein?).
What difference makes post-natal screening OK but makes pre-natal screening the key problem to be combatted? What of _pre-conceptual_ screening (i.e., having your & your partner's health conditions examined before setting out to become pregnant)? Is it a manifestation of an unconscious desire to exterminate all the disabled for a couple to avoid causing pregnancy by practicing a temporary or permanent method of birth control because the couple know their likelihood of having a disabled offspring (e.g., due to occupational exposure to toxic chemicals, need to take medications that may pose risks to fetuses, heritable or contagious diseases, advanced age, etc.)? What about taking folic acid in hope of preventing neural tube impairments?
Yoshie
Postscript:
***** Practice good prenatal care before you conceive
Most women know the basic rules of pregnancy -- avoid alcohol and drugs, don't smoke, eat right, get lots of rest and, in general, take extra special care of their bodies. But, what many women may not know is that there are steps they can take even before conception to improve their chances of delivering a healthy baby.
According to the 3M National Vaginitis Association (NVA), one of the most important things a woman can do to prepare for pregnancy is to schedule a pre-conceptual visit with her health care provider. Even women who have had prior uneventful pregnancies may still benefit from a pre-conceptual check-up. In addition, modifying certain lifestyle behaviors prior to conception can improve a woman's chances for a healthy pregnancy. Following are a few important tips:
* If you are older than 35, be screened for Down's Syndrome.
* Help prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, by taking folic acid before you get pregnant. The U.S. Public Health Service recommends 400 micrograms of folic acid be taken daily before conception and in early pregnancy. Good sources of folic acid include orange juice, green leafy vegetables, beans, peas, liver and fortified breakfast cereals. Taking prenatal vitamins (with folate) is also recommended.
* Screen, treat and prevent all infections. Infections such as bacterial vaginosis can increase the risk of pre-term birth and delivering a low birth-weight baby. Sexually transmitted diseases also can cause potential harm to a fetus.
* Avoid alcohol, smoking and using drugs. Even light or moderate drinking may pose a risk to the fetus, so it's best to avoid drinking completely prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Discuss with your health care provider which prescription or over-the-counter drugs are safe during the pre-pregnancy period.
* Get vaccinated against hepatitis, rubella and chicken pox well before pregnancy.
* Inform your health care provider about any chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, systemic lupus and epilepsy, that can pose risks to you and your baby.
* Be screened for certain genetic diseases, such as Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell disease and thalassemia, that can be passed on to your baby.
* Work to reduce stress, which can be transmitted across the placenta and increase the risk of pre-term birth. Sexual or psychological abuse in pregnancy doubles the risk of being "born too soon."
* Choose your pregnancy and child care providers before pregnancy.
For more information on vaginal health, call NVA at (800) 4BV-NEWS or go to www.vaginalinfections.com.
<http://www.nursingworld.org/tan/99sptoct/health.htm> *****
***** MANAGEMENT OF PREGNANCY IN WOMEN WITH EPILEPSY
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
Pre-conceptual care
Ensure that pregnancies are planned pregnancies by use of effective, hormonal contraception or non-hormonal methods. Combined pill regimens with at least 50µg/day are required by women on enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, phenobartitone).
Discuss modification of anticonvulsant regimen to reduce number of drugs and total dose.
Advise oral folic acid 5mg daily when intending pregnancy.
<http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sign/guidelines/sogap/sogap1.html> *****
And so on. Since there are so many ways in which individual parents, as well as society in general, seek to reduce the risks of impairments of fetuses _even before they are conceived_, it appears odd to single out pre-natal screening as the main problem, unless you have a problem with abortion.