See hear on saturday.

This programme discusses the impact on the deaf community of developments in genetic diagnosis. Potential parents, deaf and hearing, can now assess the likelihood of giving birth to a deaf child. Some fear pressure from the medical profession to accept abortion in the case of a positive diagnosis. More choices lead to more dilemmas. What impairments should be eliminated? Should deafness be compared to conditions which cause suffering? Contributors argue that most geneticists know nothing of the deaf community and its culture - they see only a medical problem. Are we pursuing perfection at the expense of diversity and moving towards eugenics? Alistair Kent (Genetics Interest Group) is among the contributors to the programme.