Maybe it's just a slow news day at the smh, but they have put out an article complaining of the 'problem' that parents-to-be aren't warned about the potential difficult decisions they may have to make, before testing for possible birth defects.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Mumstobe-not-warned-on-birth-defects/2007/01/03/1167777147203.html

Researcher Eleanor Milligan, from Queensland University of Technology's Applied Ethics Program, said many women were not giving their informed consent to the procedure.

"Mothers said they didn't know what information they needed to know until after it was all over...this is a big problem and a major concern for our health care system," she said.

How could a parent's consent not be informed? Is it really possible for a parent to not realise that they may have to make a tough decision based on the results of a screening test? Is warning them really going to reduce the shock of a bad result? All you are doing is giving the parents more choices, not forcing their hand. There are plenty of doctors around with horrible bedside manners, but this would have to be the least of our worries.

It sounds as though there is really nothing to complain about.  Obviously they would be aware that screening would show up any severe abnormalities - or even minor ones - that could be investigated.

They don't have to be told by their doctor - surely in 2007 - that screening is a good indication of the baby's general health and development.  Why else would they go and have it done?

Saves hiring a Spartan to throw your baby into the 'pit' for having been born with the TV/Computer screen disease of Autism "Just sit and stare and concentrate on just one thing"  :P

new Crispa technology (already being used in the beef industry) will allow parents to choose characteristics to be cut and inserted into the DNA of children.

height, weight, musical ability, empathy, moral virtues, intelligence will all be able to be selected for.in the not too distant future.

the west will not like the idea as we seem to like to focus on the virtue of being pathetic.

but the asian has a culture driven very much by having the most perfect child you can.

and the asian WILL use crispa to have more intelligent children.
(maybe by inserting the DNA of ashkenazi jews :D).

run that experiment for 2 generations and it will be all over for the west.

aquascoot wrote on Feb 20^th, 2019 at 6:30am:

new Crispa technology (already being used in the beef industry) will allow parents to choose characteristics to be cut and inserted into the DNA of children. height, weight, musical ability, empathy, moral virtues, intelligence will all be able to be selected for.in the not too distant future. the west will not like the idea as we seem to like to focus on the virtue of being pathetic. but the asian has a culture driven very much by having the most perfect child you can. and the asian WILL use crispa to have more intelligent children. (maybe by inserting the DNA of ashkenazi jews :D). run that experiment for 2 generations and it will be all over for the west.

1. It's CRISPR, not crispa
2. It will work well for genetic diseases (particularly things like CF) but on complex multi gene traits like moral ability we are a hell of a long way from.

aquascoot wrote on Feb 20^th, 2019 at 6:30am:

new Crispa technology (already being used in the beef industry) will allow parents to choose characteristics to be cut and inserted into the DNA of children. height, weight, musical ability, empathy, moral virtues, intelligence will all be able to be selected for.in the not too distant future. the west will not like the idea as we seem to like to focus on the virtue of being pathetic. but the asian has a culture driven very much by having the most perfect child you can. and the asian WILL use crispa to have more intelligent children. (maybe by inserting the DNA of ashkenazi jews :D). run that experiment for 2 generations and it will be all over for the west.

If you are going to insert other people's DNA, why not just raise their children for them instead of your own stupid offspring?

freediver wrote on Feb 20^th, 2019 at 7:51am:

aquascoot wrote on Feb 20th, 2019 at 6:30am: new Crispa technology (already being used in the beef industry) will allow parents to choose characteristics to be cut and inserted into the DNA of children. height, weight, musical ability, empathy, moral virtues, intelligence will all be able to be selected for.in the not too distant future. the west will not like the idea as we seem to like to focus on the virtue of being pathetic. but the asian has a culture driven very much by having the most perfect child you can. and the asian WILL use crispa to have more intelligent children. (maybe by inserting the DNA of ashkenazi jews :D). run that experiment for 2 generations and it will be all over for the west. If you are going to insert other people's DNA, why not just raise their children for them instead of your own stupid offspring?

first people will use the technology to eliminate the nasty diseases , in the same way at first we used plastic surgery to treat burns victims, now its all about enhancement

but if you think people wont use genetic technology to enhance their kids talents , you are wrong.

and the leftie intellectuals who live vicariously thru their kids will be the first to get on board.

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Feb 20^th, 2019 at 7:35am:

aquascoot wrote on Feb 20th, 2019 at 6:30am: new Crispa technology (already being used in the beef industry) will allow parents to choose characteristics to be cut and inserted into the DNA of children. height, weight, musical ability, empathy, moral virtues, intelligence will all be able to be selected for.in the not too distant future. the west will not like the idea as we seem to like to focus on the virtue of being pathetic. but the asian has a culture driven very much by having the most perfect child you can. and the asian WILL use crispa to have more intelligent children. (maybe by inserting the DNA of ashkenazi jews :D). run that experiment for 2 generations and it will be all over for the west. 1. It's CRISPR, not crispa 2. It will work well for genetic diseases (particularly things like CF) but on complex multi gene traits like moral ability we are a hell of a long way from.

yeah , well, it didnt take too long to go from mainframe computers at NASA to an apple iphone which is just as powerful so i wouldnt be too sure about that  :D :D

Sounds silly to me - why else have a screen unless you see a very real possibility that you may have problems?

Say a family has a history of Downs - you reckon a woman won't be getting a test in advance to ensure that any Downs foetus is 'taken care of'?  What sort of inevitable outcome is there in the event of a 'yes' finding?

Why else have a test?

::)  ::)  ::)  ::)  sheilas in the serious sciences....  ::)  ::)  ::)  ::) can't help playing  ::) ::) ::) the emotion game ...  ::) ::) ::)

freediver wrote on Feb 20^th, 2019 at 7:51am:

aquascoot wrote on Feb 20th, 2019 at 6:30am: new Crispa technology (already being used in the beef industry) will allow parents to choose characteristics to be cut and inserted into the DNA of children. height, weight, musical ability, empathy, moral virtues, intelligence will all be able to be selected for.in the not too distant future. the west will not like the idea as we seem to like to focus on the virtue of being pathetic. but the asian has a culture driven very much by having the most perfect child you can. and the asian WILL use crispa to have more intelligent children. (maybe by inserting the DNA of ashkenazi jews :D). run that experiment for 2 generations and it will be all over for the west. If you are going to insert other people's DNA, why not just raise their children for them instead of your own stupid offspring?

I'm part Ashkenazi Jew.... just saying.... and one of the top three IQs in my high school of 1200.... not sure about the connections though...  :o

aquascoot wrote on Feb 20^th, 2019 at 8:08am:

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Feb 20th, 2019 at 7:35am: aquascoot wrote on Feb 20th, 2019 at 6:30am: new Crispa technology (already being used in the beef industry) will allow parents to choose characteristics to be cut and inserted into the DNA of children. height, weight, musical ability, empathy, moral virtues, intelligence will all be able to be selected for.in the not too distant future. the west will not like the idea as we seem to like to focus on the virtue of being pathetic. but the asian has a culture driven very much by having the most perfect child you can. and the asian WILL use crispa to have more intelligent children. (maybe by inserting the DNA of ashkenazi jews :D). run that experiment for 2 generations and it will be all over for the west. 1. It's CRISPR, not crispa 2. It will work well for genetic diseases (particularly things like CF) but on complex multi gene traits like moral ability we are a hell of a long way from. yeah , well, it didnt take too long to go from mainframe computers at NASA to an apple iphone which is just as powerful so i wouldnt be too sure about that  :D :D

About 50 years

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Feb 20^th, 2019 at 10:33am:

aquascoot wrote on Feb 20th, 2019 at 8:08am: Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Feb 20th, 2019 at 7:35am: aquascoot wrote on Feb 20th, 2019 at 6:30am: new Crispa technology (already being used in the beef industry) will allow parents to choose characteristics to be cut and inserted into the DNA of children. height, weight, musical ability, empathy, moral virtues, intelligence will all be able to be selected for.in the not too distant future. the west will not like the idea as we seem to like to focus on the virtue of being pathetic. but the asian has a culture driven very much by having the most perfect child you can. and the asian WILL use crispa to have more intelligent children. (maybe by inserting the DNA of ashkenazi jews :D). run that experiment for 2 generations and it will be all over for the west. 1. It's CRISPR, not crispa 2. It will work well for genetic diseases (particularly things like CF) but on complex multi gene traits like moral ability we are a hell of a long way from. yeah , well, it didnt take too long to go from mainframe computers at NASA to an apple iphone which is just as powerful so i wouldnt be too sure about that  :D :D About 50 years

good grief man 50 years is NOTHING.
in the history of the earth, 50 years doesnt even register, thats almost happening as we speak in terms of the history of mankind, let alone life on the planet

aquascoot wrote on Feb 20^th, 2019 at 10:41am:

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Feb 20th, 2019 at 10:33am: aquascoot wrote on Feb 20th, 2019 at 8:08am: Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Feb 20th, 2019 at 7:35am: aquascoot wrote on Feb 20th, 2019 at 6:30am: new Crispa technology (already being used in the beef industry) will allow parents to choose characteristics to be cut and inserted into the DNA of children. height, weight, musical ability, empathy, moral virtues, intelligence will all be able to be selected for.in the not too distant future. the west will not like the idea as we seem to like to focus on the virtue of being pathetic. but the asian has a culture driven very much by having the most perfect child you can. and the asian WILL use crispa to have more intelligent children. (maybe by inserting the DNA of ashkenazi jews :D). run that experiment for 2 generations and it will be all over for the west. 1. It's CRISPR, not crispa 2. It will work well for genetic diseases (particularly things like CF) but on complex multi gene traits like moral ability we are a hell of a long way from. yeah , well, it didnt take too long to go from mainframe computers at NASA to an apple iphone which is just as powerful so i wouldnt be too sure about that  :D :D About 50 years good grief man 50 years is NOTHING. in the history of the earth, 50 years doesnt even register, thats almost happening as we speak in terms of the history of mankind, let alone life on the planet

Long enough that you wont be around.