This has some serious implications and it does make a person think. We do value human life, and the reason is that we contribute to each other, we enrich each other, we have added value. So, when a person is only a taker(not in the usual sense of the word, just in the sense that he cannot ever contribute), I can see why a person might think the way Singer does. I actually find it hard to argue with him-except, I know that there are a lot f people who, while not cognizant in a way that seems significant to Singer or someone else, DOES have life, has a mind and has things to offer-even if they aren't economically on a par with someone else. I have a severely disabled nephew-vegetative as far as we can tell. He doesn't respond to anything but pain. But we don't really know what goes on in his mind. I have known a LOT of DS people and they vary from mildly disabled (they marry and have simple jobs) to profoundly disabled. Who wants to draw a line (other than the amnio parents who draw it before they know how disabled the child is). Who wants to tell my dear friend with spina bifida that his life has no value? He is nearly 50, lived a productive life for many years until liver cancer got him(unrelated to SB). He is in hospice now. He spent his life disabled, but he worked for SS and had increasingly responsible positions. Sb affected his body, not his mind at all.
I do think it is nuts sometimes providing some services for people who get no benefit or value. I don't know how to reconcile that with decency to all of humanity when one child who can't even ENJOY it has millions spent in his support over a few years time before death-by the state.
My b/SIL have 3 kids. Their whole life is focused around the one that can't do anything, can't respond, etc. etc. They are getting in home nursing, private tutors and all kinds of social welfare assistance that costs enornous amounts of money, not to mention the frequent hospitalizations, surgeries, etc. I understand society supporting those who need it, but this is limousine care for a person who could be put in a basket and wouldn't care. He isn't learning anything, he will never contribute to society or even give his devoted mom a loving look. The value in his life is in that he is (maybe) developing the compassion of those who care for him. He might though be creating angry resentful siblings who have missed a lot of things because their oldest brother can't go there, do it, or participate.
Do I think he should have been destroyed? No. I don't think we should kill human beings. I do think that there should be some rationality about how social services are distributed and what is considered necessary. He has literally had millions spent in his care and he is 12 now. How much food would that buy for many homeless or jobless people? How many textbooks or immunizations are not being provided? Basic and humane care can be given without providing an "education" for this child who will never grasp the letter "A", much less the "Scarlett Letter". The make a wish foundation has now provided two trips to disneyland for the family. And for the other kids, I think that is a great support-THEY need a vacation-but they have to take the oldest, drag him through an amusement park and someone waits with him while the others go and play. Well meaning, but ridiculous. He doesn't respond to any stimulus but pain. I think that is so sad, and I love the little guy because he is family. I am so devastated at how much pain and suffering this causes his parents. My brother is in a severe depression and has been for years. I used to have hope for this child, but the miracles he needs are beyond science and not seen in nature in these modern times.