It's curious to see the negative reviews, which are really reactions to the argument of the film rather than the quality of it.
Sally Phillips is both a successful actress and a Christian, which is clear in the film so any bias is on show.
She visits Iceland which has been successful in 'eradicating' Downs Syndrome, not by curing it but by identifying and aborting all fetuses that carry this abnormality.
Much is made of her own relationship with her child, and it's not really made clear whether her resources (financial, emotional, familial or spiritual) have resulted in improved outcomes, or whether she is just 'lucky'. That would have been worth investigating further.
Anything that touches on abortion raises all kinds of emotions, and there is an unspoken critique of those whose chose abortion for a fetus with Downs. If people don't want to think about this stuff, they don't have to watch this film. However, seeing her happy and smiling son raises disturbing questions about the ethics of using abortion to 'solve' disability.
A World Without Down's Syndrome?
2016
Action / Documentary
A World Without Down's Syndrome?
2016
Action / Documentary
6.7/10
59
Plot summary
Documentary about Down's syndrome and the ethics of pregnancy screening, fronted by Sally Phillips. This film explores the science and thinking around the proposed new screening test for Down's syndrome and its possible availability on the NHS. Driven by the experience of raising her son Olly, who has Down's syndrome, Sally explores some of the ethical implications of our national screening policy. By talking to experts in the Down's syndrome community, the world's top scientists and including people with Down's syndrome in the debate, Sally investigates a thorny subject that begs questions relevant to us all: what sort of world do we want to live in and who do we want in it?
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
June 04, 2021 at 08:47 PM
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
Movie Reviews
Very much an authored documentary
One sided viewpoint
The storyteller is one sided as her son has a mild case of downs syndrome. She is very fortunate to be wealthy and married and able to give her son the best life she can. She didn't even attempt to include people who are struggling to provide for children with disabilities. She is anti choice and wants screening programs abolished and women forced to carry unwanted pregnancies. She didn't choose her son either, his diagnosis was given 10 days after his birth, funny how she makes it sound like she willingly chose him. She was thrust into this life without a choice because her child was already born, and she wants others to have no choice too.
Thankfully some guests she interviewed mentioned choice, unfortunately she shuts down the conversation rather quickly.
There is no discussion on how mothers/parents lives change after having a down syndrome child. We all know many women end up single when having a disabled child. But... as this woman has a very one sided shut viewpoint, none of this is mentioned.
