Man With Down Syndrome to Congressional Committee: ‘My Life Is Worth Living’

Man With Down Syndrome to Congressional Committee: ‘My Life Is Worth Living’ (The Washington Free Beacon)

Frank Stephens, a man with Down syndrome and an advocate for those with the genetic disorder, told a congressional committee on Wednesday that his life is "worth living" as he criticized those who believe fetuses with Down syndrome should be aborted.

Stephens testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies to discuss the state of medical research on Down syndrome. He directly addressed those who believe fetuses diagnosed with Down syndrome should be aborted, a practice common in some countries such as Iceland and Denmark.

Iceland is close to eliminating Down syndrome births through abortion. Since the introduction of prenatal screening tests to the country in the early 2000s, close to 100 percent of women whose pregnancies test positive for Down syndrome have chosen to have an abortion.