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I was actually thinking about Tay-Sachs this morning on a walk, after I passed by a church with a billboard out front that says "Christ died for all, even babies in the womb".

I learned about Tay-Sachs in high school biology. I think we watched a short documentary on it, as an example of genetic inheritance, and the importance of enzyme function. I remember being so surprised that something so simple (absence of one protein) could be so horrible. A beyond-grim prognosis, and immeasurable/unavoidable suffering for everyone involved. Since then, it's been something that I can't reconcile with the existence of a higher benevolent being. I'm no expert, but it made a lasting impression on me.

I'm so uplifted that researchers have made progress on curing this senseless disease.



I mean I come from a religious family with a history of genetic illness.

I have quite a few relatives who died in infancy. Their lives mattered greatly, and they improved their families lives immensely.

I get that it’s hard to see a child who is going to die as valuable, and I don’t judge people who disagree.

But the value is very much there, and initial shock of terror and disgust isn’t necessarily a good ethical guide.


I don’t think GP is questioning whether those dying infants’ lives were valuable. I think their point is, those lives were valuable, so how could a benevolent, all-powerful creature allow them to suffer and die merely due to a genetic bug.




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