“Anti-lifers get a new tool to use as a search-and-destroy method, just like amniocentesis, only less precise,” stated Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, president of Human Life International.

Ultrasound is now being used within the first 10-14 weeks of pregnancy to screen for the possibility of the Down syndrome condition. The University of Maryland is offering a nuchal translucency screening test that involves using ultrasound to measure a specific area of the pre-born baby’s neck that may be an indicator of “both genetic disorder and heart abnormalities.”
According to an article from the University of Maryland Medical Center (6/21/2001), “the service is being offered to all who are concerned about the possibility of a chromosomal abnormality, and is a tool that can help prepare parents as far in advance as possible [for a Down syndrome child.]”

“We are steadfastly opposed to this use of ultrasound. There is no reason to use it to detect Down syndrome,” said Fr. Euteneuer. “This is a condition that you can’t see in the womb, it’s only detected genetically. It is so imprecise that it’s not worthy of being called science. How many babies will be executed because they may have Down syndrome?”

Fr. Euteneuer added, “there is only one motive for employing this method of testing—ABORTION! We are not helping parents to prepare emotionally for the birth of a handicapped child because there is no way to prepare for a special child like this. The procedure is a tool for ‘weeding out’ what some see in society as ‘unfit’ and creating a new master race. Every handicapped person in America should be up in arms about it! The test will not change anything for the baby, except to make her more vulnerable to extermination!”

The acceptance of this form of testing drives home the fact that our society values those without blemish of physical form, and that to be different or to have challenges makes us unworthy as humans—as God’s creations. Unless our culture recognizes the sanctity of all human life, regardless physical condition, then even more innocent ones will die.

This test is another tool that, when placed in the hands of organizations that promote the “choice” to kill babies, will drive our society further down the slippery slope of killing for convenience.

Founded in 1981, Human Life International (http://www.hli.org, 1-800-549-5433) is the world’s largest pro-life, pro-faith, pro-family educational apostolate, with chapters in the United States and a network of international branches and affiliates around the world.