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[sola]

I know a family in Australia, whose first child was born with thalassemia major. They wanted to have more children. So when she became pregnant, the fetus was tested for thalassemia. Those which would not be born healthy, were aborted. They went on to have a number of other children.

I did not think to ask at the time, but probably only those with thalassemia major were aborted. It may have been all with any form of thalassemia. (I no longer live in that area and have not seen them for some time.)

This is an approach to consider for anyone who lives in a place where testing for thalassemia is available during the early stage of pregnancy. Ensure you have healthy children.

There may be some with strict religious beliefs who may think having an abortion is a sin. and choose not to do this. There may be others with the same strict religious beliefs who think bringing a child into this world with chronic health problems is an even greater sin, and choose to have abortions.

We can make suggestions, but then give people freedom of choice.

[Andy Battaglia]

The better educated in some countries will test, and then abort the fetus if they feel that there will be no chance for any type of normalcy if the pregnancy is allowed to continue. In some nations where abortion is not readily available, like the Maldives, many women will go to India for an abortion.
It's sad, but I feel the parents are dealing with reality the best that they can.