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.

How is your state prioritizing coronavirus vaccine for those with Down syndrome?

ANCOR's helpful "Vaccine Prioritization At A Glance" The rollout of the coronavirus vaccine has received justified criticism for its inefficiency. One area of concern for those with Down syndrome and their caregivers are how their home state's plan prioritizes them for receiving the vaccine. Continue Reading

Ch. 3, Part 4: Mandatory abortion counseling; the “Gradual Trap” of prenatal testing; &, 90% termination rate

Conferences I presented at from 2008-2011 (Blue Dot in the Atlantic was the '09 World Down Syndrome Conference in Dublin, Ireland) Part 4 of Chapter 3 of the book covers the professional guidelines mandating practitioners counsel women about abortion following a positive prenatal diagnosis for Down syndrome; the "Gradual Trap" of how prenatal testing is administered; and, the pushback on the 90% termination rate following prenatal diagnosis by individual physicians at presentations I gave. Continue Reading

Should people with Down syndrome get the coronavirus vaccine?

Coronavirus vaccines are now available in some places for people with Down syndrome. Should they get the shot? Continue Reading

COVID-19 vaccine plans should include a +1 for caregivers of people with Down syndrome

States are developing and implementing their phased rollouts of who gets the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition to including those with Down syndrome in the first groups, at least one caregiver, when needed, should be included as a +1. Continue Reading

Ch. 3, Part 3: The Wrongfulness of Wrongful Birth Claims for Down Syndrome

In this next section of Chapter 3's exploration of how abortion is inextricably intertwined with prenatal genetic testing, I cover my profession's contribution to the pressure obstetric practitioners feel compels them to offer prenatal genetic testing and counsel regarding abortion: the threat of a wrongful birth lawsuit. Continue Reading

COVID-19 Vaccine: the next risk of discrimination against Down syndrome

The COVID-19 vaccine will begin being administered in the third week of December in the United States. This presents the next phase of the coronavirus pandemic that risks discrimination against those with Down syndrome (and those who care for them). Continue Reading

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Allows Tennessee to Enforce Down Syndrome Abortion Ban

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has stayed an injunction, thereby allowing the State of Tennessee to enforce its "Down syndrome abortion ban". Will it? And, what will this lead to? Continue Reading

Ch. 3, Part 2: Abortion–the medical reason for prenatal testing for Down syndrome

Continuing the chapter of the book devoted to the most chosen option following a prenatal diagnosis, this section makes the case that, for all those stated reasons, THE reason for prenatal testing for Down syndrome is: abortion. Continue Reading

Ch. 3, Part 1: Abortion & Fast Times in High School

This image will make sense if you read the post Chapter Three of the serially-posted book I'm working on examines the choice most women make after receiving a prenatal diagnosis for Down syndrome: abortion. It begins with my own experience in high school. Continue Reading