in the news & maladies 06 Jun 2007 10:44 am
MUCH Scarier Than Gingerism: Designer Deformed Babies
This MSNBC story pissed me off big time. Made-to-order defects?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16299656/
My thoughts:
1) The parents obviously aren’t as comfortable with their conditions as they think they are if they are so inescure that they have to make sure their babies are “just like them” expecially because of the . . .
2) pain and suffering that comes from such deformities as dwarfism (the example used in the story.) Not just emotional pain but lifelong physical health problems as well. How could you wish that on your baby?
3) Some argue that parents want their children to share in their “culture.” It makes me think about those children of immigrants who were raised millions of miles away from “the homeland” but were able to grow up with some of their parent’s cultural traditions because their parents made the effort to share those special rituals and traditions with them, told stories, sang songs, and so on. I know a little of my Slovak heritage though I have never been to Slovakia. Why should it be any different with a family that has a genetic heritage?
4) As you know, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Never in a million years would I subject such pain and disruption upon my child INTENTIONALLY. The idea sounds downright cruel. I have already wondered if I should even have children if they run a high risk of having similar autoimmune problems.
5) And back to the people with genetric differences who consider it part of their culture - well, I can’t stress enough that you are also giving your child lifelong medical problems and annoying curiosity if not downright cruelty from others. YOU KNOW IT. YOU EXPERIENCED IT. You may be well-adjusted (though judging by your intentions with your kid, I disagree) but your children would be facing years of anguish, both physical and emotional, because of your selfish need to have them be “just like you.” Let them be THEMSELVES!
6) I know nobody with such intentions is reading this thread, but it felt better to adress it to them than to be general.
7) Yeah, in closing, let me go ask my brother if he would like to make sure all his kids have diabetes so they can all share Insulin Injection Family Fun Time multiple times a day.