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Good Morning A desire for expectant parents to have comprehensive, unbiased information when faced with the possibility of giving birth to a Down’s Syndrome baby is at the heart of a debate at the General Synod of the Church of England this afternoon. The NHS in England and Wales is in the throes of rolling out non-invasive pre-natal testing which, some predict, could greatly reduce the number of Down’s Syndrome babies. Critically, at this juncture, the Church of England believes that parents should be given balanced, neutral advice; and that the wellbeing and flourishing of both the child and parents are at the heart of any advice offered. I also believe that it not anyone’s place to make moral judgements about the choices parents make. For every situation is different. Stanley has just had his 16th birthday. His dad rang into another ��ѿ��ý radio station this week to say that his teenage Down’s Syndrome son was only diagnosed moments after his birth. They had no idea beforehand. “Of course there are challenges,” his dad explained before adding with a smile in his voice –“but Stanley has taught us so much”. He acknowledged that had he and his wife known of Stanley’s diagnosis in the early stages of their pregnancy, they didn’t know what they would have done. Before making any decision, Stanley’s dad suggested that prospective parents might actually meet someone like Stanley. Several times, in my own ministry I’ve got to know Down’s Syndrome children who’ve made a huge impact on me personally. And one young [Down’s Syndrome] boy in Year 6 taught me in a previous parish how his buddies – the children designated to keeping a close eye on him- really helped each other because of a unique and beautiful bond that developed. Advances in science mean improvements in every respect, but with them come more and more ethical and moral challenges and responsibilities which we all need to work through. The ability to diagnose and predict the birth of a Down’s Syndrome child is undoubtedly about to get easier - whilst Down’s Syndrome children are growing up to live much better, independent and more wholesome lives. I’m sure that today’s debate at the General Synod will celebrate the gift of life in creation. Wholehearted gratitude will also undoubtedly be offered to those advancing medical knowledge for the benefit of all. But, most of all, it’s my hope that parents will feel unbiased, non-judgemental loving support -through the provision of the right kind of information-which will enable them to be able to make the right choice, whatever that may be.