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I fear abortion cull of gays, bald men
Agence France-Presse
June 26, 2001
     
SYDNEY: An openly gay judge yesterday called for new laws to prevent the
unchecked abortion of embryos and foetuses with what are perceived to be
genetic defects such as baldness or homosexuality.

Australian High Court judge Michael Kirby told an ethics forum that some
parents could choose to abort foetuses carrying genes for schizophrenia or
early baldness because they considered them to be disabilities.

Justice Kirby, who publicly disclosed his homosexuality in ``Who's Who'' two
years ago, said some may even abort to ensure their child was not homosexual,
if it could be genetically determined.

``Although I do not regard my sexuality as a disability, there is no doubt
that some people would do so,'' he told the forum in Brisbane.

``Indeed, the hate mail I have received since publicly disclosing my
sexuality indicates that this view is not at all uncommon, even in relatively
enlightened Australia.''

Justice Kirby, a member of Unesco's international bioethics committee, said
in many countries, including Australia, foetuses were checked for evidence of
genetic conditions such as mental retardation.

``Termination decisions are regularly made,'' he said.

``Apparently, they are condoned by law in most jurisdictions and certainly by
medical practice.''

He said without new laws, complex ethical questions would be turned over to
parents and doctors.

``Social forces, public opinion and even economic considerations may then
influence the determination of where the line is drawn,'' he said.

Catholic moral theologian Father Kevin McGovern said he shared Justice
Kirby's concerns. ``Pope John Paul II has warned that such practices are
shameful and utterly reprehensible and open the way to legitimising
infanticide and euthanasia,'' he said.

``The Church condemns, and will never cease condemning, the taking of
innocent unborn life.''

Australian federal, state and territory governments recently agreed to
examine uniform national laws on the use of reproductive technologies.

However, Queensland University genome researcher, Professor John Mattick,
said he did not believe it was a problem in the short term as only about one
per cent of abortions were performed for genetic reasons.

He told reporters legislation was unnecessary as ``ordinary people should be
able to make up their own minds''.

``It's a minefield for the government to be involved,'' he said.

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