Wrongful Birth?

An Oregon couple was recently awarded $2.9 million in a “wrongful birth” lawsuit against the health system that misdiagnosed their daughter as not having Down syndrome during a prenatal screening. In a recent article published by ABC News, this couple states they would have terminated the pregnancy had they known they would have a special-needs child.

What does this say about human worth? Are special-needs children not worth our time and attention, our love and care? Are special-needs children now synonymous with defective parts that can be discarded at will? Are special-needs children less human than so-called “normal” people?

Decades ago we denounced those who took it into their own hands to produce an ideal race. Today we celebrate selfish parents who are taking it into their own hands to produce an ideal child.

In contrast to humanity’s godlessness, the Triune God demonstrates true love. Though we brought sin and death into God’s very good creation, He didn’t abort us. On the contrary. He promised a Savior and then delivered on that promise. Though we were “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1), He “shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). For “while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son” (Romans 5:10). Simply put, God is merciful and compassionate. He loves the unlovable. He loves you and me.

I pray our gracious Lord will turn the hearts of these parents, so that this little girl with Down syndrome will grow up to be loved unconditionally for the beautiful creation she in God’s eyes. All life has value to God. I hope we will learn to value it just as highly!