El aborto por síndrome de Down desde una perspectiva interseccional

Resumo

This research addresses abortion when diagnosed with and/or at high risk for Down syndrome from an intersectional perspective, combining the theoretical and social foundations of feminism and the disability social movement, including respect for the dignity of life of persons with disabilities and the recognition of the right to abortion, both of which are presupposed within the human rights system. To this end, the aim is to investigate the extent to which voluntary termination of pregnancy due to Down’s syndrome is evidence of intersectional discrimination based on disability and gender. Complementarily, the aim is to understand the social and cultural factors that explain this type of abortion, as well as the vision that the agents involved in the pregnancy (families, health community, social and legislative agents and organisations of families of people with Down’s syndrome) have of Down’s syndrome. The methodological strategy combines literature review (bibliographical and legislative) and the collection of qualitative (in-depth interviews, open questionnaire and discussion group) and quantitative data, through the use of statistical sources. The results provide, firstly, information on changes in the birth rate of the population with Down’s syndrome in the world, as well as a description of the data on voluntary terminations of pregnancy for this reason. Secondly, it recognises the existence of prejudice towards Down’s syndrome and barriers in the health system to voluntary termination of pregnancy, which influence the reproductive decision-making of women pregnant with foetuses with Down’s syndrome. Thus, medical consultations during pregnancy are presented as spaces impregnated with intersectional discrimination. Thirdly, the discourses of social and legislative agents are shown, which pivot between two dichotomous tragedies: abortion and Down’s syndrome. Finally, it shows the demands of institutional feminism and disability organisations in relation to the object of study. The conclusions highlight the emergence of Down’s syndrome as a social category recognised and recognisable by society and the discrimination faced by women pregnant with foetuses with certain genetic conditions. The development of the thesis leads to a series of proposals in relation to the voluntary interruption of pregnancy that takes into account the diversity of women’s reproductive options. Of particular note is the proposal for the promotion of late abortions to facilitate conscious decision making without pressure from legal frameworks and the establishment of pregnancy consultations in women’s community settings, where midwives play a leading role.