A fifth said they had known somebody with Down's, a third cited religious or anti-abortion beliefs and 30% felt life had improved for people with Down's. People generally seem to feel that there is a greater acceptance of what it means to be different and integrated education is also of importance. However, almost one in five said they simply did not believe the results of the test.
One parent said: "I already felt a strong sense of responsibility for my unborn child and knew that I would love it and want it regardless of any additional needs it might have. I knew I could count on friends and family for support."
The survey was compiled to coincide with the BBC Radio 4 documentary Born With Down's.
Carol Boys, chief executive of the Down's Syndrome Association, said the survey showed how much changes in society were influencing people. She said: "When I and others had our babies it was a very different world - those with Down's syndrome were treated very differently. Now there is much greater inclusion and acceptance, with mainstream education having a huge role. We think this plays a part in the decisions parents make - there's even been a baby with Down's syndrome on EastEnders."
Following the widespread introduction of pre-natal testing for the syndrome, the number of babies born with Down's fell from 717 in 1989 to 594 at the start of this decade.
But during the current decade the birth rate has increased, reaching 749 births of children with Downs Syndrome in 2006, the latest year for which figures are available. In general, the overall birth rate has been increasing in recent years.
But figures from the National Down's Syndrome Cytogenetic Register suggest Down's births have risen by approximately 15% as a proportion of all live births since 2000.
November 2008 |
