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Comment by vicnov | Hacker News Reader

I think it is worth a separate research that modern definition of progressive thought considers eliminating/treating a genetic malfunction "unethical".

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US progressive thought

It's not very long ago that race was considered a "genetic malfunction".

People are still looking for a genetic link to autism.

It is an important point. Our understanding of what is “disease”/“malfunction” and how to address diseases has been changing.

I can see how if we, as society, - gain such immense wealth that taking care of/ providing support to/ humans with DS becomes so easy - arrive to the conclusion that there is no downside in emotional health/wellbeing - change definition of what “living full/happy life” Then parents stop perceiving DS as a concern

This is not an attitude exclusive to progressives. The chief grievance here is that the historical “solution” to the “problem” of Down Syndrome has been abortion. Opposition comes from the pro-life movement (which is generally conservative) and disability advocacy groups (which are generally liberal).

A novel therapy that does not result in the termination of the pregnancy might satisfy the conservatives, but it does nothing to satisfy the disability advocates, who point out that these kinds of technologies fundamentally normalize the idea that they should never have been born the way that they are.

Hailing from a particularly conservative country I can tell you right now that it's not going to satisfy the conservatives, as their core belief is that the world is zero-sum and tampering with that, in their view, wrong.

As a conservative, my position on genetic intervention is about ethics, human digniity, and the sanctity of life and not some kind of blanket opposition to treating genetic disorders.

I have no moral problem with a therapeutic intervention that improves a life by treating a debilitating disorder with no cost of life.

I will have moral problems when those ideals are inevitably twisted and loosened over time to not just treat disorders, but pick attributes like intelligence, strength, skin color, attractiveness, etc.

“Fundamentally normalize” is the part that surprises me. I sometimes think that it is the refusal to hold two thoughts simultaneously that drives it.

One can value/respect people with DS and strive to eliminate DS at the same time.

Ah yes, because conservative thought is such a big fan of gene therapy and abortion.

Both sides have wild distortions, I just feel like it is “more clear” what’s going on in the right.

Conservative thought sure favours simplification.

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