Sir: I have read with interest the article by Dominic
Lawson on his Down's syndrome baby daughter. I cannot agree with his view, however, that the NHS should not offer women automatic abortions when this is diagnosed during early pregnancy. The Chi- nese method, leaving babies in a 'dying room', because of defects or because the babies are simply not wanted, is wholly repugnant to me, but is it therefore not preferable to abort the foetus, if this is the mother's wish, because she could not cope? Mr Lawson appears to be a caring parent who will do his utmost to bring up his daughter in loving family surroundings. Alas, not all parents are able to cope, hence the very existence of a 'dying room' and here, in Europe, plenty of faceless institu-, tions which cater for unwanted or handi- capped children. If all parents could cope there would be no need for such places.
It is certainly better for the NHS to offer free abortion to those mothers who feel from the outset that they could not cope. Once the child is here, it is a different mat- ter altogether. Mr Lawson is talking from an enlightened point of view. He has accepted his child for what she is and will ensure she will get the best of everything, above all love. Would that all parents were like that. Alas, they are not.
I.C. Rothen
12a Sevington Street, London W9
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