Below is the National Down Syndrome
Congress’ response
to comments made by Professor Albert Harris, as reported by several
media outlets.
According to a Raleigh News and Observer
report, biology professor Albert Harris of the University of North
Carolina, Chapel Hill, has stated, “In my opinion, the moral
thing for older mothers to do is to have amniocentesis, as soon during
pregnancy as is safe for the fetus, test whether placental cells
have a third chromosome #21, and abort the fetus if it does.”
While Professor Harris
qualified his statement as his “opinion,” the
National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) finds the professor has violated
basic academic standards by expressing an opinion based on personal,
anecdotal experience in a classroom setting.
Reports suggest that
Harris did so to spark discussion and debate. The NDSC would welcome
that; however, we find Harris adds nothing to a debate which has
been ongoing for sometime. He cites the fact that his opinion is
based on the experience of one acquaintance whose life was, according
to him, “ruined” by
a child with Down syndrome.
Down syndrome impacts people across an extremely wide range; however,
it is rare for it to be, in fact, ruinous by any definition. The contrary
is more often the case. Far from ruining lives, our families consistently
report that their sons, daughters or siblings with Down syndrome enhance
their lives and bring them great joy.
We question how any
of that can be termed “ruinous.”
We therefore ask Professor Harris to retract his statement. In doing
so, we also request that the professor make an appropriate apology
to his students, explain clearly that his statement was a personal
opinion and has no scientific basis and make every effort to convey
to them current, accurate facts regarding Down syndrome. ![]()
