Techniques like amniocentesis were developed to catch potentially life-threatening illnesses in the womb so doctors could operate and save many preborn lives. However, this life-saving technology is used to target certain human beings for abortion. When presented with an adverse prenatal diagnosis, such as a genetic or physical defect, parents can feel pressured into aborting their child. They are often only told the negative aspects of life for people who were born with those same challenges and not the joy and beauty these human beings would bring, or the value their babies’ lives have.
Ableism is a Cruel “Choice”
“Jessika Sirjala, of Finland, who has a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter Lia with Down syndrome, felt that health professionals tried to steer the couple towards abortion, even though they both wanted to keep their daughter. [...] ‘It felt like all the official information I received as a pregnant woman was to prove that it was worthwhile to terminate the pregnancy. I was given two options, either to keep the baby and live in the horror scenario that was painted for me, or to choose the death of my child.’ “ (1)
Diagnosis: Down syndrome
The average lifespan of someone born with Down syndrome is 60 years.(2) A growing number of people with Down syndrome live independently(3) and nearly 99% report that they are happy with their lives.(4)
94% Lethal “Choices”
Between 67-94% of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted.(5)
Diagnosis: Cystic Fibrosis
Life expectancy for people with cystic fibrosis is currently in the mid-40s. Over half of adults with cystic fibrosis work full-time or part-time jobs, 42% are married or in a committed relationship, and 31% have earned a college degree.(6)
90% Ableism “Choices”
As many as 90% of babies diagnosed with cystic fibrosis are aborted.(7)
Diagnosis: Spina Bifida
Up to 90% of people with spina bifida will survive into their third decade of life.(8) Many adults with spina bifida live on their own, drive a car, and have fulfilling careers.(9)
63% An Ableism “Choice”
63% of babies diagnosed with spina bifida are aborted.(10)
Ability Doesn’t Determine Someone’s Worth
and Doesn’t Erase Their Right to Life.
A diagnosis should never be a death sentence. Many prenatal diagnoses occur between 18 and 20 weeks gestation when babies can now feel pain.(11) Disability-based dismemberment abortions are performed on pain-capable babies.(12),(13),(14),(15)
My Life is Worth Living
Some people say prenatal screens will identify Down syndrome in the womb, and those pregnancies will just be terminated. I completely understand that the people pushing this particular “final solution” are saying that people like me should not exist. That view is deeply prejudiced by an outdated idea of life with Down syndrome. Seriously, I have a great life. [...]
I don’t feel I should have to justify my existence, but to those who question the value of people with Down syndrome, I would make three points. First, we are a medical gift to society, a blueprint for medical research into cancer, Alzheimer’s, and immune system disorders.
Second, we are an unusually powerful source of happiness. A Harvard based study has discovered that people with Down syndrome, as well as their parents and siblings, are happier than society at large. Surely, happiness is worth something.
Finally, we are the canary in the eugenics coal mine. We are giving the world a chance to think about the ethics of choosing which humans get a chance at life. [...]
Is there really no place for us in the world?(16)
“Whatever you learn today, please remember this: I am a man with Down syndrome, and my life is worth living. [...]
You can raise awareness.
Designed to teach young children a valuable pro-life lesson: all human beings deserve to be cherished and loved. Carlos & Isabel are thrilled to learn they are getting a new sibling. When they learn that she may have Down Syndrome, they learn the beauty of every life, no matter how many chromosomes a person has.
Abortion is ableism at its most lethal. This fact sheet presents the truth about the lives cut short by disability-based abortions. Purchase "In House Printing" from Human Life Alliance, or download a digital file of this sheet for FREE.
One poster in a series of three. This poster shows that there is value to life in all situations. 11x17 inches. Purchase "In House Printing" from Human Life Alliance, or download a digital file of this sheet for FREE.
No one's value is based on their abilities. 11x17 inches. Purchase "In House Printing" from Human Life Alliance, or download a digital file of this sheet for FREE.
Sources
Ableism Is a Cruel “Choice”
(1) “More Choose Abortions for Down’s syndrome.” The Nordic Times, 25 September 2024. https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/more-choose-abortions-for-downs-syndrome/. Accessed 25 August 2025.
(2) “FAQ and Facts about down Syndrome.” Global Down Syndrome Foundation. www.globaldownsyndrome.org/about-down-syndrome/facts-about-down-syndrome/. Accessed 6 August 2025.
(3) Ibid
(4) Skotko Brian G., et al. “Self-perceptions from people with Down syndrome.” American Journal of Medical Genetics, part A, 155, 9 September 2011, pp. 2360-2369. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.34235.
(5) “New Study: Abortion after Prenatal Diagnosis of down Syndrome Reduces down Syndrome Community by Thirty Percent.” Lozier Institute, 21 April 2015. www.lozierinstitute.org/new-study-abortion-after-prenatal-diagnosis-of-down-syndrome-reduces-down-syndrome-community-by-thirty-percent/. Accessed 6 August 2025.
(6) “What’s the Life Expectancy for Someone with Cystic Fibrosis?” Cycstic Fibrosis, reviewed by HU Medical Review Board, last reviewed September 2019, last updated April 2024. https://cystic-fibrosis.com/life-expectancy. Accessed 6 August 2025.
(7) Inácio, Patricia PhD. “CF Prenatal Screening Impacts Pregnancy Outcomes, Review Finds.” Cystic Fibrosis News Today, 17 September 2019. https://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/news/prenatal-screening-impacts-pregnancy-outcomes-review/. Accessed 6 August 2025.
(8) “What Is Spina Bifida.” Spina Bifida Association of Western Pennsylvania. https://sbawp.org/what-is-spina-bifida-6/. Accessed 6 August 2025.
(9) “Understanding a Spina Bifida Diagnosis.” https://understandingspinabifida.org/. Accessed 6 August 2025.
(10) Johnson Candice Y., et al. “Pregnancy termination following prenatal diagnosis of anencephaly or spina bifida: a systematic review of the literature.” Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology, vol. 94, no. 11, 25 October 2012, pp. 857-863. https://doi.org/10.1002/bdra.23086.
(11) “Diagnosis of Birth Defects.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 November 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/birth-defects/screening/diagnosis.html. Accessed 6 August 2025.
(12) Derbyshire Stuart WG., and John C. Bockmann. “Reconsidering fetal pain.” Journal of Medical Ethics, vol. 46, no. 1, 2020, pp. 3-6. https://jme.bmj.com/content/46/1/3. Accessed 7 August 2025.
(13) Ohashi, Yuki, et al. “Success rate and challenges of fetal anesthesia for ultrasound guided fetal intervention by maternal opioid and benzodiazepine administration.” Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, vol. 26, no. 2, 18 September 2012, pp. 158-160. https://doi.org/10.3109/14767058.2012.722733.
(14) Sekulic, Slobodan, et al. “Appearance of fetal pain could be associated with maturation of the mesodiencephalic structures.” Journal of Pain Research, vol. 9, 11 November 2016, pp. 1031-1038. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S117959.
(15) Bellieni, Carlo V. “Analgesia for Fetal Pain During Prenatal Surgery: 10 Years of Progress.” Pediatric Research, vol. 89, no. 7, pp. 1612-1618, 24 September 2020. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-020-01170-2.
My Life Is Worth Living by Frank Stephens
(16) Stephens, Frank. “Frank Stephens' POWERFUL Speech On Down Syndrome.” Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, 30 October 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtS91Jd5mac. Accessed 6 August 2025.