The effects of alcohol use on an unborn child
Mothers Of Children With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
"40,000 babies are born every year that fall under an umbrella known as fetal alcohol syndrome disorder (FAS). Should mothers be charged with a crime when they have a baby with this disorder?
This condition is caused by mother-to-be drinking alcohol during pregnancy. These children are born with severe mental and physical problems. "They are born with characteristics that include but are not
limited to, small head, flat midface, sunken nasal bridge, an elongated groove between the nose and upper lip and heart defects. They are also mentally challenged throughout their life (Purdy)."
It is not really known how much alcohol it takes for this disease to occur, but one thing thing is certain, drinking during pregnancy is the leading known preventable cause of mental retardation and birth defects in the United States (Fetal).
Because this is a preventable disease it is understandable why some people believe that a mother should be charged with a crime. Alcohol acts as central nervous
system depressive. It slows the brain as well as other vital organs including the lungs and heart which could prove fatal.
When an expectant mother drinks alcohol it freely crosses the placenta. Unlike mature livers that can filter out certain amounts of alcohol , an unborn baby's liver cannot. Therefore the alcohol remains in the fetus' liver for a longer thus causing problems during development.
Of course, it is expected that the mother-to- be will take care of her body long enough throughout her pregnancy to ensure that her
baby receives the proper nutrients while developing. This is not always the case which disturbs many people when considering the question of, "Should mothers be charged with a crime when they conceive a baby with (FAS)?" There are a few things to consider when answering this question. First, what would be an appropriate punishment that would fit this crime? Did the mother know that
she was pregnant ? Was she educated about potential problems?
A pregnant woman that conceives a child with fetal alcohol syndrome should not be charged with a crime. It is already a life sentence to give birth to a mental and physically disabled child. The guilt,
shame, and life-long heart aches would be enough of a sentence that nothing else would be justice enough. Next, if the mother did not know that she was pregnant she can not be held liable for a crime. Even
more importantly, if she did know that she was with child, whose to say that she knew the consequences of drinking during pregnancy. Sadly, at this time there, is not enough education out at this time about the consequences of drinking, particularly as it relates to fetal alcohol syndrome .
The effects of alcohol use on an unborn child
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