In one of the abortion class sessions, we discussed an important legal exception that allows abortion, which is the case of severe fetal disability.
Can you imagine severe congenital disabilities? Some chromosomal abnormalities, such as trisomy groups
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Let’s put it this way.
Humans are born with 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell, except for egg and sperm cells, which have 23 single chromosomes.
Imagine a Chinese donut. Chromosomes look like that. Simply put, when a father and mother have sex, the father releases sperm into the mother’s vagina. The sperm, with 23 chromosomes in its head, swims forward, turning left and right. If it goes in the right direction and meets the mother’s egg, it penetrates. The mother’s egg also has 23 chromosomes.
Once the sperm penetrates, it releases its chromosomes into the nucleus of the mother’s egg, allowing the chromosomes to pair up. Chromosome 1 pairs with chromosome 1, chromosome 2 with chromosome 2, and so on until all 23 pairs meet.
See, the origin of our life comes from these 46 chromosomes or 23 pairs. It’s very simple.
When doctors talk, they refer to it as 46,XX or 46,XY
XX is female, having a vagina, and XY is male, having a penis.
We inherit half of our genetics from each parent.
So, what is trisomy?
It’s when there is an extra chromosome.
For example, trisomy 21 has an extra chromosome 23, making the child have 47 chromosomes, leading to a condition known as “Down syndrome.” We write this abnormality as 47,XX+21.
I’m talking about congenital abnormalities here.
Some are due to chromosomal abnormalities. We know enough about many of them to inform parents about their child’s disabilities and potential outcomes, but some are barely known.
Some abnormalities are not due to chromosomes but are physical, such as congenital heart disease, abdominal wall defects, short limbs, congenital fractures, etc.
The law that allows us to perform abortions in cases of severe fetal abnormalities states, “If the fetus has severe disabilities.”
This is the basis of our classroom discussions.
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“Is Down syndrome considered a severe disability?” I posed this question.
Of course, the entire class answered yes.
Children with Down syndrome have delayed development and may have other disabilities, such as heart disease and intestinal obstruction.
“I want to know, if someone in this room is pregnant with a Down syndrome child, would you have an abortion?” Most answered yes, but a minority said no, as they believe a child with Down syndrome can live in society.
Interesting.
“What about Klinefelter syndrome?” I continued to ask.
Klinefelter syndrome is a condition with 47,XXY chromosomes.
Children with Klinefelter syndrome are born male, not intellectually disabled, but not academically strong. Their muscle and motor development is slightly delayed, they may speak late, have social interaction issues, and may have diabetes and thyroid problems. Their testes are underdeveloped, small, produce less male hormone, and they have a small penis.
“Who thinks this condition is severe?” I asked the students in the class.
Almost all answered, “Not severe.”
“Then, if it were your child, would you want me to perform an abortion?” I continued to engage.
Almost the entire class decided on abortion.
“Hey… what happened? You just said 47,XXY isn’t severely disabled, right?” I exclaimed as if I had a degree in drama.
“I feel sorry for the child, professor.”
“But… what’s wrong? They have all limbs, are tall, can study even if not excellently, and we can supplement male hormones.” I added.
“So, who decides what severe disability is?” I continued to ask.
“The parents.” There it is!
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About three years ago, we had a couple referred from a hospital after discovering the fetus was 47,XXY, and the obstetrician couldn’t decide how to explain it.
“The doctor there said the child would be born with all organs intact, not intellectually disabled, and could grow up. So, we both wanted to ask the doctor here for more information. Initially, we want the child.” They came because they wanted the child and needed confirmation for their decision.
So, I opened Google, wanting to see how it would explain the abnormalities to non-medical readers, and shared it with the couple to read along with me. It was similar to what I had said earlier.
Then, I listened to their thoughts and feelings.
“If you want to continue the pregnancy, go back to the original doctor. But if you want an abortion, we’ll arrange it.” I told them to sit and think, call their parents if needed, and discuss thoroughly.
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“By the way, is having a small penis considered a disability?” I raised my little finger, looking left and right, as if contemplating and discussing together. I told you, I have a degree in drama.
Actually, it’s a classroom learning technique.
“Damn, I think I need to get my chromosomes checked. I might be XXY.” The two male students sitting in the front row looked at each other and talked.
Oh… my dear!
Thanapan Choobun, should I get checked too?
Nov 3, 67 Source: Asst. Prof. Dr. Thanapan Choobun https://facebook.com/thanapan.choobun