A recent TIME article discusses how more women, not “pregnant people,” are doing early prenatal testing for Down syndrome, Trisomy 13 and 18 as abortion restrictions tighten.  

After all, the “clock is ticking,” according to TIME authors Laura Ungar and Amanda Seitz. States like North Carolina limit abortion after 12 weeks, Utah after 18 weeks, and Arizona at 15 weeks, which means pro-abortion activists already have boots on the ground. Their reasoning? Ensure no adverse conditions exist, like Down syndrome or Trisomy 13 or 18, and if they do, offer an abortion sooner. If women can’t have abortions later in pregnancy, it’s time to make sure they have them sooner, no matter the consequences.  

Early Prenatal Tests Aren’t Accurate 

Two important points need to be addressed.  

First, early prenatal testing is highly inaccurate. A 2020 report found 85% of the positive results from prenatal tests were false. In this the first issue arises – many women could make an already faulty decision based on a faulty test.  

Though the article admits “genetics screenings may be inaccurate,” and some “false positives are possible,” that statement differs from the severity of an 85% test failure rate. It’s like saying that a boat with eight giant holes may sink.  

It says that different testing varies on disorder but isn’t a precise diagnosis. Still, the article subtly blames the “urgency” for a rash decision due to limits on abortion in many states. A 20-week ultrasound would show Down syndrome, congenital problems, and physical health and better determine if the preborn child should be killed.  

A couple in Ireland aborted their healthy baby based on a false Trisomy 18 test, resulting in deep emotional anguish. Another inaccurate test was in Oregon, but thankfully, the couple waited for further testing. 

The rush to test could create more situations such as these.  

A More Gruesome Reality in Plain Sight 

Of course, there’s an underlying and chilling reality put forth by the pro-abortion media – that preborn children with disabilities are undeserving of life and a nuisance to society. Pro-abortion activists paint selective abortion as a right within their constitutional freedom.  

Ruth Marcus wrote for The Washington Post regarding Down syndrome, “Can it be that women have more constitutional freedom to choose to terminate their pregnancies on a whim than for the reason that the fetus has Down syndrome?” 

Though Marcus was trying to make the point of abortion no matter the child’s physical and cognitive health, she does pose a question that deserves an answer: both the preborn child with disabilities and the one without deserve the right to life. Neither life should be discriminated against. Their physical or mental fitness does not determine their worth or ability to impact society positively.  

A Better Decision 

TIME mentions that Trisomy 13 and 18 typically result in miscarriage or stillbirths, but they fail to mention the joy of giving birth to their child and the real possibility of them living. 

Students for Life of America (SFLA) recently shared two stories of Trisomy 18 from Beverly Jacobson and Kathryn Kerr from Verity’s Village. Beverly’s child is turning seven in February, and Kathryn’s baby has lived for six weeks. Neither regrets their decision.  

In 2022, Sofía Jirau became the first Victoria’s Secret model with Down syndrome. Her life has inspired many to see her for her value and capabilities and others with Down syndrome.  

All life has value and should never be determined by a faulty test.  

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