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A woman in China has made the heart-wrenching decision to terminate her pregnancy after learning her unborn baby boy has a condition that many mistakenly associate with aggressive and violent behavior.
Jiujiu, from Sichuan province, shared her prenatal examination report on Douyin on July 14. The report indicated that her six-month pregnancy was affected by XYY syndrome, a genetic condition often wrongly linked to criminal behavior. XYY syndrome, also known as Jacob’s syndrome, occurs when a male has an extra Y chromosome.
“Generally speaking, individuals with XYY syndrome might appear more masculine and taller than others,” said Qi Qianrong, an embryologist at the Reproductive Medicine Centre of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University in Hubei province. Qi emphasized that the condition is not rare, occurring in about one in 1,000 male births, and many people with chromosomal abnormalities lead normal lives.
Studies indicate that while individuals with XYY syndrome may exhibit attention deficits, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior, aggression or psychopathy are not typical characteristics. Despite this, Jiujiu's post received 190,000 comments, with many advocating for abortion based on misconceptions.
“Children with XYY syndrome have a high tendency to criminal behavior and often resort to violence,” one person commented on Douyin. Another user supported the abortion, stating, “Having this child is like placing a time bomb around everyone.”
Faced with these overwhelming opinions and after consulting doctors and discussing with her family, Jiujiu decided to terminate the pregnancy on July 18. “Given the uncertainties after birth and my situation as an ordinary family, I decided to terminate the pregnancy to be responsible to myself and the unborn child,” she explained. Jiujiu also expressed hope that people would not stigmatize XYY syndrome, urging others to understand the condition from a medical perspective. “Regardless, losing the child is a painful experience for me,” she added.
Her decision has reignited public attention on the widespread misunderstandings surrounding XYY syndrome. “This is a brave and responsible mother. Respect her decision and wish her well,” commented one observer on Douyin. Another urged, “I hope people can break the misunderstanding. No one is born a bad person.”
Source: SCMP
