Prenatal Testing for Disabilities is Eugenics - Annotated Bibliography Example

Annotated Bibliography s Prenatal testing to detect genetic anomalies has become part and parcel of pregnancy care in most developed nations. While many believe that these tests are a great advancement in both science and medicine, others believe that this is another form of Eugenics. First of all, this practice takes away the right to life. The message being passed across is that it is far much better not to exist than to have any form of disability. It is also a form of abortion. Taking away innocent human life is murder and should not be tolerated. Furthermore, this practice marginalizes people with disabilities. It makes them feel worthless and less human beings. There are also many risks that mothers face when undergoing these tests. Annotated Bibliography 1. Allot, Daniel & Neumayr, George (May, 2013). Eugenic Abortion 2.0. Retrieved from http://spectator.org/articles/55745/eugenic-abortion-20 Allot and Neumayr discuss the issue of eugenics and prenatal tests at a neutral point of view; they neither recommend the tests nor do they oppose them. However, they discuss both the positive and the negative aspects of prenatal tests in an unbiased fashion and then let the reader be the judge. They give us a peak at how the tests were carried out initially and how they are being done today. The two authors concentrate more on Down syndrome as it is one of the most prevalent genetic problem among children in America. The article goes on to prove that the absence of both prenatal tests and abortion resulted in a decrease of Down syndrome births, which was contrary to the belief. This article uses credible evidences from surveys, researchers and experts in the field of eugenics. This article proves that prenatal diagnosis is eugenics, no matter what the experts say. 2. Carlson, Tucker (Feb. 21, 2012). Eugenics, American Style. Retrieved from http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2012/02/rick_santorum_prenatal_testing_and_abortion_tucker_carlson_s_classic_essay_on_prenatal_testing_and_the_abortion_of_down_syndrome_babies_.single.html Tucker uses Rick Santorum assumptions on prenatal testing to express his views on the issue. Using Down Syndrome as his main point of reference, Tucker discusses the positive aspects of prenatal testing. For example, he claims that prenatal tests would allow parents to prepare psychologically for a baby with defects. Even though his article is full of studies and surveys that favor prenatal tests, Tucker shows us how it is wrong to abort a child with Down syndrome. This article mainly focuses on one genetic defect and exhaustively discusses the American perception of people with deformities. He outlines the problems that children with Down syndrome undergo at the hands of merciless people. Tucker uses many professionals from physicians to Statistians to come up with a well researched article. This article gives us the other side of prenatal testing, the positive side of it. It is plausible to look at two sides of a crucial issue before deciding which stand to take. 3. Erik P. , & Adrienne A. (2000). Prenatal Testing and Disability Rights. Washington DC: Georgetown University Press. Erik and Adrienne use a collection of stories by different people to highlight the problems of prenatal tests. The book has a general stand that prenatal tests should be used to advance lives and not to prevent them. Even though the general view of the two authors is that prenatal tests are reinforcing discrimination against people with disabilities, they take a neutral stand on the issue. The good thing about this book is that it uses opinions of people from both sides of the matter to bring out a clear picture of what each faction believes and thinks. The authors sought the assistance of those who lived with people with genetic anomalies and those who did not, experts in genetics and other professionals like lawyers. The authors also offer solutions to ameliorate the negative issues tied to the practice. The honest and emotional debate brought forth by both sides indicates the impact of prenatal testing on many people. 4. Hume, Joan (1996). Disability, Feminism and Eugenics: Who has the right to decide who should or should not inhabit the world? Retrieved from http://wwda.org.au/issues/eugenic/eugenic1995/eugen/ As the title suggests, Joan questions the authority of those who practice eugenics and prenatal tests. Who gave them the power to decide who is fit and who is not fit to inhabit the earth. She points out the fact that the Nazi’s atrocious health programmes stem from the British and American eugenic theories. She asserts that prenatal tests are infringements of rights of both women and people with genetic deformities. She highlights how eugenics was used to discriminate against people with disabilities in different nations like Japan, China, Australia and Germany under the Nazi regime. After writing the article, Joan went ahead and presented it at the Women’s Electoral Lobby National Conference, which was held at the University of Technology in Sydney. This article is good as it calls other women to fight this vice that does not put into consideration the risks that they face during prenatal tests. 5. Karen, Rothenberg & Elizabeth Thomson (Jan. 1, 1994). Women and Prenatal Testing: Facing the Challenges of Genetic Technology. Ohio: Ohio State University Press. As is always the case with most new technologies, people’s opinions are not always considered before the technologies are embedded in different fields. Women’s perspectives were not put into consideration when prenatal diagnoses were being made, until this book came out. Even though this book came out two decades ago, the issue of prenatal tests was as rampant as it is today. Unlike other books which focus only on the genetic testing of fetuses, this book concentrates more on sociocultural and psychological impact of pregnancy and prenatal tests on women. This book is divided into three sections; the first part deals with prenatal testing on a professional level, the second part is more legal and ethical oriented while the last part deals with the psychological and sociocultural implications of prenatal diagnosis. The uniqueness of this book makes it a very important resource when discussing the issue of eugenics and prenatal tests. 6. Kmom (May, 2004). Prenatal Testing: An Amniocentesis Primer. Retrieved from http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/Prenatal%20Testing/prenataltest-amnios.htm Kmom discusses amniocentesis exhaustively. Apart from describing how this prenatal test is done, the author discusses other aspects of amniocentesis like problems during and after the test, how the test feels like, reasons for the test and the risks associated with it. The author also talks about different types of amniocentesis and the accuracy of each method. The author then advises women whether to undergo amniocentesis or not. This article presents the reader with an overview of the most common prenatal test that most American women are forced to undergo. It exposes all the risks that women face when they undergo this test. It is a must read for all people who believe that prenatal tests are good. Since it is a question-answer type of article, the issue of amniocentesis is looked at deeply and professionally. The paper is thoroughly researched and does not include a biased point of view, only facts. 7. McKibben, Bill (Feb. 1, 2004). Enough: Staying Human in an Engineered Age. London: St. Martin’s Press. Though this book does not directly talk about prenatal testing, McKibben talks about how technology is aiding in the process of denaturing human beings. He explores technological areas such as nanotechnology and genetic engineering, which are on the verge of destroying the human species. McKibben celebrates the natural human life and opposes any form of alteration of the human genetic makeup. He even asserts that we should learn to say enough, rather than accept all things given to us in the name of science and human advancement. This book shows how man, in his quest for power and knowledge is on the verge of ruin. Genetic engineering is a wrong act that will lead to extinction of social institutions like marriage and the natural way of creation. Though indirectly, prenatal testing is among the things discussed in this book. Destroying human life on the pretext that it has genetic anomaly is an example of man trying to make the world perfect, but in the process destroying himself. 8. Meehan, Mary (2009). The Triumph of Eugenics in Prenatal Testing. Retrieved from http://meehanreports.com/eugen-PT-pt1.htm Divided into two parts, Mary Meehan outlines how Eugenics was converted to what we now refer to as Prenatal Testing. She narrates the story of James Crow and Fredrick Osborn, two influential people in the field of Eugenics who duped people into accepting the Prenatal Tests. This article shows how eugenics secretly led to the blend of prenatal testing with abortion. The second part of the article discusses how the American government is involved in the prenatal tests. Mary uses books and articles previously written to come up with one of the most authentic and well researched articles regarding prenatal tests. Her work spans more than five decades and she highlights all events and issues that promoted this vice. She names all powerful and influential figures like the Rockefeller who were pro-eugenics. Mary Meehan exhaustively discusses all issues surrounding prenatal testing in a two part article. This is one of the most resourceful articles ever created on prenatal testing. 9. Sullivan, Mike (Oct. 12, 2013). Genetic Expert Diana Bianchi misrepresents new Eugenic test for Down syndrome. Retrieved from http://www.savingdowns.com/genetic-expert-diana-bianchi-misrepresents-new-eugenic-test-for-down-syndrome/ Using Diana Bianchi’s remarks, Sullivan exposes the dangers of the new prenatal test that has been developed. He argues that the new test will lead to more abortions as it is far more effective than the previous tests. This new blood test, which is ten times more accurate than other tests, reduces the chances of women going for the second test. However, adverse effects experienced in previous tests like miscarriages are still prevalent in this new test. Sullivan clearly opposes Bianchi and her views towards children with Down syndrome. This article brings out the hidden meaning of words used by influential people to support vices or dupe people into accepting them. Sullivan shows how genetic experts like Bianchi have no regards for human lives and would do anything to promote their agenda. He discusses the issue of prenatal testing with clarity to extent of exposing Bianchi as a hoax. 10. Woodhouse, Rose (Feb. 22, 2012). Prenatal Testing and Eugenics. Retrieved from http://ordinary-gentlemen.com/russellsaunders/2012/02/prenatal-testing-and-eugenics/ Sometimes it is better to examine two conflicting sides of an issue to make informed judgment on the issue. This article gives us a clear picture of a mother with a disabled child. Contrary to the belief that disabled children would bring grief and suffering to the parents and close relatives, Woodhouse gives us the real picture of what actually happens. Her child has brought her nothing but joy and she does not regret her choice of not having amniocentesis. This article is important because most people argue on a biased point of view. Most of them have never birthed or lived with a disabled person, but they are very much in support of prenatal testing and abortions. A testimony from a mother with a disabled child will give us an unbiased view of the situation since she is the most affected. Woodhouse is a philosopher and a teacher of applied ethics, her opinion is very important when discussing prenatal testing. Read More