Chris Kaposy’s essay “When prenatal tests hint at abortion’’ (Ideas, June 3) was a welcome expression of the right to life of children with Down syndrome. Drawing from personal experience as well as the high degree of careful thought one would expect of a professor of bioethics, Kaposy made the case that Down syndrome children are deserving of life. However, as Kaposy says so well, the presentation of the facts concerning prenatal testing “conveys a message that Down syndrome is pathological, something to be voided.’’

After so much considered and practical advice for parents about prenatal testing, it was a shock to have an ethicist and parent of a Down syndrome child conclude his essay with this opinion: “The ability to choose abortion is a necessary right.’’ Kaposy points out that positive test results for Down syndrome will sometimes lead to the decision to deny life to children with Down syndrome.

It is disheartening to have an ethicist suggest that destroying a human life is acceptable when a prenatal condition is present. I applaud the decision made by Kaposy and his wife to allow their Down syndrome child to live. Shouldn’t any child with Down syndrome be granted that right as well?

Victor Dyer

South Hamilton