Mark Leach is an attorney with a Master's in Bioethics, focusing on health law and public contracts. His interest in bioethics concerns the issues surrounding prenatal testing and Down syndrome.

On Down syndrome prenatal testing, they don’t get to have it both ways

The recent press releases by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the video above show the inconsistency in policy positions in obstetric care. Regarding Down syndrome prenatal testing, they shouldn't get to have it both ways. Continue Reading

Wear a cool t-shirt at a conference & get a free book

Many of my readers will be traveling this week to Denver for this year's conference for the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC). Here's an opportunity to get a free book simply by looking cool at the conference. Continue Reading

Syngamy: when you became a unique individual

Several years ago, I learned about "syngamy." It informed how we are to think of one another. I had reason to be reminded of it for a couple of reasons this week, one circumstantial and one sad. Continue Reading

Is it already happening or are Down syndrome births disappearing because of the all-time low U.S. birthrate?

I have asked for reports from local parent support organizations by next Monday, July 15, 2013, on the number of births they have welcomed in 2013 and in the past several years. The more reports received from across the nation will give a better picture of whether this is a part of a national trend. Continue Reading

Hundreds signing up to adopt a child with Down syndrome should not be surprising

A recent news story reported as a surprising result that hundreds of parents had volunteered to adopt a child when the call was put out. The turnout was indeed overwhelming, but in the end only one couple will adopt this child. Hopefully the hundreds of others will reach out to adopt the many other children with Down syndrome waiting to be adopted. Continue Reading

USA Today discriminates against Down syndrome

In a recent editorial, USA Today's editorial board expressed "Our view" that discriminates against Down syndrome and perpetuates the societal stigma against those with the genetic condition.  Continue Reading

America’s creed: will Down syndrome prenatal testing abide by it?

In honor of this week's July 4th holiday, I wonder whether the administration of Down syndrome prenatal testing will abide by America's creed.  Continue Reading

Is it already happening? Tracking Down syndrome births so far in 2013.

In previous posts, I have written of a concern that others have shared about whether Down syndrome will disappear as prenatal testing advances. Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action (DSAIA) has posted a request of mine seeking groups to report their numbers of referrals for births so far in 2013.  This is prompted by one organization receiving only two birth referrals when they would ordinarily have welcomed at least 10 new babies at this same time in previous years. Click here to read the full Continue Reading

What every woman needs to know about Down syndrome prenatal testing, a review

Earlier this year, Amy Julia Becker released a new book entitled, What Every Woman Needs to Know about Prenatal Testing: insight from a mom who has been there." As with everything Becker writes, it intertwines compassion with needed analysis of a decision all pregnant women will confront in this new age of prenatal testing. Continue Reading