Media Release
For Immediate Release
20 June 2006
DPA disputes antenatal screening claims
DPA, a national assembly for disabled people, is concerned that the full report into antenatal screening for Down
syndrome is at odds with National Screening Unit claims about the issue.
The report by Peter Stone clearly states that evidence shows the current screening process “has failed to reduce the
number of babies born with undiagnosed Trisomy 21 [Down syndrome]”.
“This is in direct contrast to the National Screening Unit claims that the review is not about reducing the number of
babies born with Down syndrome,” says Mike Gourley, President of DPA.
“While DPA agrees that current screening processes need to be reviewed, we are alarmed that this may be happening with a
view to eliminating a group of disabled people.
“Currently, the report and surrounding discussions are focused solely on the number of ‘healthy’ foetuses that may
suffer through current screening practices. The rights of people with Down syndrome are ignored which is of great
concern,” he says.
Mr Gourley says that people born with Down syndrome are not a cost to society and their skills, talent and potential
need to be respected.
“The nature of the screening programme means it is very difficult to have representatives with Down syndrome on the
review committee. Who’d want to sit listening to others talk about eradicating them? Nevertheless, a committee
discussing a process that directly affects people with Down syndrome must find ways to include the people who live with
the syndrome,” he says.
ENDS