Santorum Accuses Obama of Promoting Eugenics

COMMENTARY | Rick Santorum’s sudden surge in the GOP presidential race doesn’t show any signs of slowing down despite the many controversial statements he has made recently. The one grabbing headlines is his notion President Barack Obama is following an agenda that is not based on the Bible. As disturbing as that statement is, an ideology that is far more sinister is being ignored as a result: Rick Santorum is opposed to some routine prenatal care for pregnant women.

The candidate who believes birth control is a sin, that abortion should be illegal even in cases of rape, and President Obama is waging a war on Christians now believes President Obama will use prenatal testing to promote abortions in this country.

What Santorum is opposed to is the coverage of tests under Obamacare that would tell an expectant parent if their child can have a disability such as Down Syndrome. His argument is that when women find out their child will not be perfect, the woman will choose to terminate the pregnancy. While some women might decide to exercise their right to choose in this case, the prenatal tests are designed to inform parents and dictate the medical care of the infant and mother during pregnancy.

What Santorum is suggesting is Obamacare covers prenatal testing so women will have more abortions. Children with disabilities require more health care than children without, so he is accusing the president of tying to cut costs by encouraging abortions. The GOP front-runner of the moment is suggesting President Obama plans to create a wide scale eugenics program. That type of rhetoric is not only frightening, it is dangerous. That any candidate for president could believe routine prenatal care is designed to prevent children from being born is absurd.

The Mayo Clinic advocates prenatal testing. It recognizes terminating a pregnancy can be a result of some tests, but it also acknowledges some parents will use the results as an opportunity to make special preparations for the child’s arrival. In some cases, prenatal testing can detect treatable conditions resulting in a more healthy pregnancy and delivery. It is important to note that while women can choose to have these tests performed, they can also choose not to. There is no mandate requiring such testing.

Santorum is using dangerous and false information to scare voters. It is a continuation of the right’s war against women. Expectant mothers are not waiting to abort their pregnancies at the first sign of a problem. They have the right to dictate their own medical care, which includes prenatal testing. It can help prevent treatable medical conditions and keep mother and baby healthy. The issue of prenatal testing and care has nothing to do with President Obama or his alleged agenda. It has everything to do with a woman’s right to govern her own body.


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