Many big news outlets are going on about how Iceland has almost "eradicated" Down Syndrome and there is a lot about that that is wrong.

As a pro-choice advocate, this article has been hard for me to write since I still need to stand by my beliefs until I realized that this is my belief too.

When you see articles about what is happening in Iceland many people are happy because less and fewer people are being born with a missing chromosome which can lead to some life problems but I believe what Iceland is doing is wrong. Iceland has NOT found a cure for down syndrome so the kids who were affected are not being born free of problems. Instead, Iceland is doing mixed screening (ultrasound and factoring the mother's age) to determine if this child will be born with down syndrome. If the baby does have down syndrome, the family almost always aborts the baby.

Personally, as a pro-choice advocate, I could never abort my own baby but I am not to judge is someone chooses to abort theirs because there are many reasons why someone would have to choose abortion. (rape, age, medical problems that are life-threatening to either party, and more)

I do not feel like the people of Iceland are bad people, I just think that they are uneducated. The people of Iceland think that they are bettering the world when they are actually getting rid of amazing people with amazing personalities that could have lived amazing and productive lives. Many people with Down Syndrome have no trouble living normal or even better lives, they just learn a little differently and have a few more obstacles.

Look at Lauren Elizabeth Potter for example. She has appeared on many shows such as Glee, Guest Room, and has made small appearances on even more shows (Switched at Birth). Lauren is engaged, an advocate for special needs has been nominated for awards, and more. Not only has she accomplished many things but she has done all these things while having to work harder than most people (she did not walk until the age of 2). When you look at Lauren, you cannot imagine someone not wanting her to come into the world because she would be miserable or a burden because she is neither of those things.

People with down syndrome are different, yes, but they are also unique, creative, and view the world differently than others. They have huge expectations for themselves and they are here to conquer the world so instead of having an abortion because your child has down syndrome, stick through the pregnancy and give your child a chance to change the world one step at a time.