Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Social Issue: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome p.427

The third most common cause of mental retardation in babies born in most of North America (Canada and the United States) is fetal alcohol syndrome. This illness is a result of alcohol and other harmful substances moving across the placenta. The crossing of the placenta results in the blood of the fetus being polluted by the alcohol. The placenta, unfortunately, is a selective membrane preventing only the mother’s blood from entering the blood of the fetus and not the harmful or potentially dangerous materials. This paper will contemplate whether pregnant women should refrain from consuming alcohol until their pregnancy is over.

There are many reasons to support the elimination of alcohol from the diet of a pregnant woman the most dominant being the endangerment of the health of the fetus. Therefore, some believe blood test should be mandatory for all pregnant women to detect the presence of alcohol. In addition, the responsibility of the mother is exceedingly questionable because if she is willing to risk the health of the child prior to birth, if she has the patience and perseverance to care for the child after birth. Danger to the fetus is not the only concern in this position, as studies have shown the increase of the chances of cancer as well as a variety of other issues in almost all parts of the body as well as cardiovascular problems possibly leading to a double death of the mother and child. This double death may also be a product of the drunkenness caused when drinking which obscures common sense as well as higher brainpower, there have been cases of suicide as a result of pregnancies and alcohol combined.

On the other hand, responsibility of the fetus by its parents should be voluntary. The right to choose should not be suspended from parents/pregnant women nor are blood tests a reasonable solution to this problem. Education

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