Down Syndrome: 'A Canary in the Eugenics Coal Mine'

This past summer, CBS reported on Iceland’s attempts to eradicate Down syndrome through abortion. According to the report,  “100% of pregnant women [in Iceland] whose prenatal tests come back positive for Down syndrome have decided to end their pregnancies.” Iceland and other European countries have wholesale embraced eugenics, and are in the process of committing genocide against humans that they deem undesirable. Thankfully, in this country, courageous men and women with Down syndrome are making sure their voices are being heard. One such individual is Frank Stephens, who testified on Capitol Hill in support of more Down syndrome research and the value of his life and the lives of others who also have Down syndrome.

In his seven-minute speech (which I highly encourage you to watch), Stephens spoke candidly and winsomely about living with Down syndrome, and asked the question, “Is there really no place for us in the world?”

https://youtu.be/V1x0YNWUvSc

In an elegant appeal to the committee, Stephens gave compelling reasons for why those with Down syndrome should be valued by society:

I don’t feel I should have to justify my existence, but to those who question the value of people with Down syndrome, I would make three points: First, we are a medical gift to society, a blueprint for medical research into cancer, Alzheimer’s, and immune system disorders. Second, we are an unusually powerful source of happiness. A Harvard based study has discovered that people with Down syndrome, as well as their parents and siblings, are happier than society at large. Surely happiness is worth something. Finally, we are the canary in the eugenics coal mine. We are giving the world a chance to think about the ethics of choosing which humans get a chance at life.

Those who support abortion, specifically abortion aimed at eradicating Down syndrome, are going to have a difficult time answering Stephens. In fact, I would love to see him in a room with those who support Iceland’s eradication of Down syndrome through abortion. Make no mistake, Planned Parenthood, NARAL, and those who profit off of abortion (either financially or existentially) will eagerly follow in the footsteps of Iceland, Denmark, and France if allowed. After all, Planned Parenthood was founded by a eugenist for the purpose of eugenics.

Men and women like Frank Stephens should be applauded, supported, and given a platform from which to push back on the merchants of death who have singled out for eradication those with Down syndrome. The Bible teaches that all humans are made in God’s image. Hence, there are no “undesirable” humans. By God’s grace, Frank Stephens will cause many “to think about the ethics of choosing which humans get a chance at life.”

Stephens’ speech is hard to beat (once again, I encourage you to watch the video). His terrific final words are filled with passion and truth. In closing, he encouraged the committee and others listening, “Let’s be America, not Iceland or Denmark. Let’s pursue answers, not ‘final solutions.’ Let’s be America; let’s make our goal to be Alzheimer’s-free, not Down syndrome-free.”