Discrimination against people with Down’s syndrome should not be tolerated as “all people have inherent dignity”, US President Donald Trump has said.
President Trump made the comments in an official statement marking US Down’s syndrome awareness month.
He said too many people see the condition “as an excuse to ignore or discard human life” and called for celebration of “the significant contributions that people with Down syndrome make to their families, to their communities”.
‘Extraordinary people’
The President said: “We must always be vigilant in defending and promoting the unique and special gifts of all citizens in need.”
“We will always endeavor to make sure that their precious gifts are never maligned or taken for granted”, he added.
He also thanked medical professionals and caregivers “who have dedicated themselves to ensuring that these extraordinary people enjoy lives filled with love and increasing opportunity”.
TED Talk
Karen Gaffney, international advocate for people with Down’s syndrome, has previously spoken about the huge contribution people with the condition can make to society.
Majority aborted
Statistics indicate that one in every 1,000 babies in the UK is diagnosed with the condition.
In England and Wales, figures show that 92 per cent of babies who are diagnosed with Down’s syndrome in the womb are aborted.
