Sharon den Adel

Yes, there is a difference. The difference between a 34 week fetus and a 36 week fetus is simply development. The 36 week old fetus is more developed, and more likely to survive outside the womb without assistance. The difference between a fetus and a newborn baby is that the newborn is no longer relying on the bodily nutrients of the mother to sustain it's life. It is also breathing independantly, and is completely dependant from the mother. I don't agree with it, but if a woman wishes to have an abortion because her child is the 'wrong' sex, that is her choice, and none of my business.

Abortion isn't murder. It is legal, and therefore cannot be murder. It is simply personal opinion as to whether abortion is murder.

It depends on each person. Some people are outraged by certain images, and others are not. It depends on what each individual perceives as 'outrage'.

Hmm, that makes it a little harder, having already been through the trauma of chemotherapy...because the chances of survival are so high, I have to say that he should continue the therapy. If the cancer were to return, then he should be able to decide what path he wishes to take. Has the child been psychologically evaluated to know whether he is capable of understanding the decision he has chosen? It may help to know how he feels, without the presence of his parents. We can't say for sure if natural therapies help to cure cancer, despite the fact there have been no studies on the subject. Chemotherapy has been shown to be the best option here, and so anyone wishing to begin natural therapy has that option, they can do so while having chemotherapy at the same time. I think it depends on the individual. The child may fully understand the consequences of his decision, but because of his age, it is automatically assumed that he does not have the mental capacity to make such a decision. A psychological evaluation is needed her, I feel, as this may give us an idea as to whether this child fully understands the ramifications behind his choice.

Good question, and my answer is no, for the reason that I support abortion at all stages of pregnancy. I do not agree with sex selection, I find it appalling that women could abort their child simply because they were the 'wrong' sex. However, I do support the choice to abort, even if I may not agree with the reasons behind that choice. I hope that made sense.

I can only read a very small portion of the artical, so I am not sure whether the child has been through chemotherapy in the past. I will assume he has not, and that this is his first treatment and he is simply worn out. I respect his right to choose not to endure anymore chemo, and I respect the rights of his parents to support his choice, but I also support the court ruling. Not because the child is too young to make such a decision, but because he seems to have a very good chance of survival. Can someone show a little more of the artical in question so I may learn more about the case?

I hadn't heard of this case until now, and I can certainly sympathize with this woman. It would be incredibly hard to care for four children under the age of two. However, it doesn't excuse her crime. Despite the fact she didn't intend to harm her child, the child died as a direct result of her actions, and for this she must be punished. It is simply not okay to throw a child into a cot and claim that it is okay, because everyone does it. I wouldn't like to see this woman imprisoned, I don't feel prison is the answer for her. Rather, support and counselling, plus assistance in raising her children would be more beneficial than a jail cell.

I'm surprised that this genetic screening is generally only available to women over 35. Any woman has a risk of having a child with Downs Syndrome, therefore all women should be entitled to have their embryo/fetus screened for any potential defects. I myself do not want a child with Downs Syndrome, and would insist on screening the embryo/fetus as soon as possible to ensure it is not suffering from fetal defect or disorder. I realise that saying I do not wish to have a child with special needs may come across as harsh, but I think we all have to consider what we are capable of. Should we shrug our shoulders when we learn our unborn child has Downs Syndrome, (to use it as an example) and have the child anyway because it wouldn't be 'fair' to abort it? I think everyone should think about whether they would be capable of raising a child with special needs. That is, talk to parents of special needs children, research health issues, mental issues etc that may come with having a child with a disorder such as Downs. Not everyone would be equipped to care for a special needs child, and no one should be forced to. This should come down to personal choice. No one should be made to have a child with special needs if they do not feel they could cope.