You say that having Down's syndrome means that adult life is "bound to be painful". That's not true. I work with people who have Down's syndrome and they have their difficulties but then so does everyone, but their lives certainly aren't painful.

Kathy, Andover, UK

I have two children with autism, and I think there is an important distinction between Downs and autism, to take two examples of disability. Downs becomes much more likely for women over 40, but there is no age link with the incidence of autism that I know. Have children younger to avoid Downs.

Bart, Portsmouth, UK

This 'woman's right to choose' people talk about is always left as an unfinished sentence. When finished it reads: 'a woman's right to choose to kill another human being' and suddenly seems less of a winning argument. Downs syndrome or being the wrong sex... should not incur the death penalty.

Ben Trovato, Uk,

whether or not you agree with the testing that leads people to being faced with the choice of termination, being presented with that choice is awful ... either decision has its heroic and selfish motives ... unless you have had to make that ultimate decision you will never understand

Jaynie, Shropshire,

I have a nine year old girl with DS. The sorrow I feel comes from a society which does not understand her neither does it want to. In pre-testing times doctors told us to leave our children in institutions and forget we'd had them. Thankfully parents didn't listen. Human strength always wins thru

Claire, Newry, Northern Ireland

Care in later years will be necessary for almost all LD children.Their siblings cannot be expected to shoulder the burden.Wills and trusts can help with finance but not much else.Society needs to rethink the care system.Small communities with everyday care are best.A not 'The' community .

Tom Simcock, tarporley, Cheshire

The term 'disabled' can be misleading. Downs Syndrome people have a range of abilities which differ from those emphasised in our busy society. Meeting and engaging with DS people, I meet people who are distinctive emotionally, and I value that difference positively. Appropriate education is critical

Colin, Perth, Scotland

and what about the child they would have birthed, a few months or years later? DIdn't that would-have-been child deserve a chance? This family would have gotten pregnant again, I'm certain of it.

rocco, nyc, usa

Many people feel this way. Thanks for having the 'nerve' to write it. I know of a family whose severely handicapped child should have been aborted. I would not dare have the nerve to even hint I feel this way. The child (worse than Down's) can't hear, see, walk. Everybody thinks they are saints

rocco, NYC, USA

My brother has DS and although I believe in freedom of choice I believe articles like this paint an ignorantly negative and offensive view on the lives of people with disabilities as it is not all hardship, disappointment and sorrow, in fact it has been quite the opposite!

orla, Dublin,

There are too many glaring errors in your piece to consider them all, but I will point out one incorrect assumption you make; you continually imply that people with Down's syndrome won't ever enjoy sexual relations, or any kind of sexuality. They can, and they do. We live in the 21st century!

Hannah, Darlington,

It is disingenuous to write of "moral choices" yet censure women who, you say, "make a bad choice". What are you if not a eugenics apologist? For those women who abort babies with trisomy there is no guarantee of "perfect babies and happy families" the next time round. Read India Knight's blog!!

Claire Durtnall, London , U.K.

What will happen to my other children if I or my husband die young - they will still need care and love (and money to help them through university). We have done what any sensible person would do and made provision for htem in our wills.

Liz Crowter, Coventry,

The Downs baby is a blessing is a challenge and as such, will bring hardship and joy. Every downs baby I have met that was raised in society among loving parents and siblings has grown to be be happy and well adjusted, working and taking pride in it and blessing everyone who dares to get to know.

Robert Grindrod, Syracuse, USA

Additionally, say one of my other children has an accident that leaves him/her mentally and/or physically handicapped. Should I take them out behind the barn and put them down?
Get real! Life is LIFE!

Gretchen Peters, Marshall, USA

The columnist clearly doesn't know much about unconditional love. I'm very glad to have my 'damaged' daughter, who is very much loved member part of my wider, so obviously 'damaged' family.

Chloe , Cirencester, Gloucestershire

What a horrible, condescending article. Many people with DS babies do not share this woman's pessimism regarding life. Some do not regard their decision to have such babies as a "bad choice." The fact that their lives are imprefect does not mean they should not be born. Who has a perfect life?

Mary, Oklahoma, USA

Words have meanings.

If you support or promote the abortion of defective fetuses, then you support or promote eugenics. This is a simple definition of terms.

It is not for the pro-life community to accept a new definition of 'eugenics' simply because it injures your sensibilities.

Matushka, Lexington, USA

Life isn't easy. We can run away from difficulty more successfully than our ancestors, but we lose the opportunity to stretch and grow in it. My best friend has an autistic son. He's a hard challenge & we don't know how he will turn out, but she & her family are growing deeper through it.

Audrey, Squaw Valley, USA

It's true, life can be hard for people with Down's Syndrome and especially for the ir parents, many of whom are caring until the day they die.
Surely though, we have to fight for more support, not just avoid people being born. ENABLE Scotland are running a campaign- http://www.enable.org.uk/campaigns.php?sid=131

Jane, Edinburgh,

Articles like this make women think that they are condemed to hardship and family ruin if they continue a pregnancy carrying a child with DS. They are not. Prospects for people with DS have changed radically in the last 30 years - something someone in Minette's position should well know.

Annabel Tall, Bristol, UK

It should be noted that most of the 'disability-lobby extremists' whom Marrin claims are 'attacking' her are disabled people, some of whom have DS, who find her views grossly offensive. So if you have DS, you're either a 'misfortune' or an 'extremist' - as opposed to a person wanting respect. Hmm.

Victoria, Newcastle,

It makes me cringe when I read or hear the words Down's child, it sounds like they ar some kind of strange race or alien. My son is a child with Down's Syndrome, he is a person in his own right first who happens to have Down's Syndrome. I am so happy that he is alive as he is perfect.

Brenda, London, England

Let's assume for the sake of argument that you're right in saying that those with Down's will have a hard life and will make life very challenging for those responsible for their care. The key question is whether that is an acceptable reason for killing a person. Is doing so morally right or wrong?

Marcus , London , UK

I have a second cousin with Down's. After her mother died she went to live with her sister. Her sister, now in her 70s, can no longer look after her. She is now 68 and her behaviour, which was cute when she was young, is now embarrassing and rather frightening.

william, Northwood,

Our 31 year old daughter with DS has enriched our lives. She sails happily through life with no sense of rejection or disappointment. We think she's beautiful and so does she! Her health is excellent. We love her innocence and total lack of guile. She has been and is a blessing.

Noel and Elena, Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK

Don't really appreciate the word 'damaged' when describing these children, feel very upset as I am writing this as I have a Niece that has Downs who has brought happiness to our family and everyone who knows her, yes we do worry about the future but she is certainly not damaged.

Amanda, Tring, UK

well done Minette . I am a retired teacher with over 40 years experience teaching children and adults with multiple handicaps including Downs syndrome. I loved my work, and loved all my charges but as a teacher and as such often a counsellor Minette said what need saying.

Christine Born, williamsburg, USA

You couldn't be more wrong about Down syndrome. Perhaps you should talk to families who have a child with Down syndrome. I have not met a family yet who feels that having a child with DS is a burden. My son (w/ds) is the light of our family. It's very sad to me that people like you have no clue.

Judy, Ventura, USA

A callousness about the value of human life permeates Marrin's viewpoint, because if abortion ends up as eugenics, then whether any foetus comes to birth depends upon the preferences of the woman. How can anyone determine the worth and quality of another's life before it is even lived?

Lee, Birmingham,

Let me get this straight: you think babies with Down Syndrome should be aborted because they might not have a great sex life? Many people--with all the correct bits and pieces--have unfortunate romantic and sexual lives, Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana, for two.

Rachel Cohen, Los Angeles, USA

I still remember the anxiety of waiting for the result of amniocentesis when 5 months pregnant. It was very much a wanted pregnancy but I would have aborted if Down's had been detected. I'm glad I didn't have to make that decision.

DMB, Lausanne, Switzerland

ecellent,balanced and humane,article. well done minette!

neil, london,

As the sister and eventual caregiver of a mentally handicapped man, I resent the idea that his life is worth anything less than yours or mine. Please do not blame, resent or judge those who are handicapped, it's not a choice they've made. My brother has right to a full life, just like you.

Jodi, London,

This is still too much of a generalisation. My child with down's syndrome is on the higher end of ability and has much to offer the world. Nobody knows the future for their children, drugs, unemplyoment, depression, abuse.. when you decide to have a baby the future is never predictable.

Liz, Shifnal, Shropshire

My eldest has autism. My younger does not. She will be his caregiver long after her father and I die. She didn't ask for this, she accepts him as he is--always has. Would I have brought him into this world had I known? Life is hard enough for the normal.

Lina, Auckland, New Zealand

Also, what happens when one partner wants to abort a Downs
foetus and the other does not ? A lifetime of deep, bitter resentment ? An otherwise solid relationship fractured? these problems can arise over the birth of a healthy child, so the problem must be worse for the parents of a Downs child

phil dolman, wirral, UK

Hi, Am well qualified to have my say, as I have a daughter with a rare syndrome, not diaganosed prenatally. She has suffered ongoing surgery, social rejection. I am forever anxious about her economic/social future. Still, I'm glad I didn't get the opportunity to make that choice. I never judge.

Jude, Auckland, New Zealand

thank you, minette

rosemom, sacramento, ca, usa

Completely agree. It is a mothers free and informed choice and no one has the right to judge another's unique and personal situation.

Alex, Toronto, Canada