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29 March 2024

Update: Abandoned Downs Syndrome baby that moved world

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A Thai surrogate mother left with one twin by his Australian biological parents after the child was born with Down's Syndrome said was not informed of his condition until late in her pregnancy.

Pattaramon Janbua said her doctors, the surrogacy agency and the baby's parents knew he was disabled at four months but did not inform her until the seventh month when the agency asked her - at the parents' request - to abort the disabled foetus.

 

Thai surrogate mother Pattaramon Chanbua (L) with her baby Gammy, born with Down Syndrome, at the Samitivej hospital, Sriracha district in Chonburi province on August 4, 2014.   The surrogate mother of a baby reportedly abandoned by his Australian parents in Thailand because he has Down Syndrome was a "saint" and "absolute hero", Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said. (AFP)




This undated handout photograph received from Pattaramon Chanbua on August 3, 2014 shows Thai surrogate mother Pattaramon Chanbua posing for a photo with her baby Gammy, born with Down Syndrome, at the Sriracha district in Chonburi province. Gammy and a twin sister were born to Thai woman Pattaramon Chanbua in December after she was reportedly paid 14,900 USD to be a surrogate. Australia's Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said on August 3 a question of "moral responsibility" should determine the fate of Gammy, born with Down Syndrome, reportedly abandoned by an Australian couple with its surrogate mother in Thailand. (AFP)




Gammy, a baby born with Down's Syndrome, lies on a bed as his surrogate mother Pattaramon Janbua (in yellow) gets ready to speak to reporters at a hospital in Chonburi province August 3, 2014. According to Pattaramon, his Australian parents, through a local surrogate agency, asked her at her 7th month of pregnancy to terminate it because of his Down's Syndrome but she refused and kept the baby. The Australian parents instead took with them Gammy's twin sister who was born healthy. More than 3 million Thai baht ($93,360) was raised through an online campaign in Thailand in less than a day for the medical treatment of Gammy who suffers from potentially life threatening heart conditions and a serious lung infection, local media reported. (REUTERS)




Gammy, a baby born with Down's Syndrome, is held by his surrogate mother Pattaramon Janbua (not seen) at a hospital in Chonburi province August 3, 2014. According to Pattaramon, his Australian parents, through a local surrogate agency, asked her at her 7th month of pregnancy to terminate it because of his Down's Syndrome but she refused and kept the baby. The Australian parents instead took with them Gammy's twin sister who was born healthy. More than 3 million Thai baht ($93,360) was raised through an online campaign in Thailand in less than a day for the medical treatment of Gammy who suffers from potentially life threatening heart conditions and a serious lung infection, local media reported.  (REUTERS)


 

 

Pattaramon Chanbua, 21, top, poses with her children Game, 7, left, and baby boy Gammy at a hospital in Chonburi province, southeastern Thailand Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014. The Australian government is consulting Thai authorities after news emerged that Gammy, a baby with Downs Syndrome was abandoned with Chanbua, his surrogate mother, in Thailand by his Australian parents, according to local media. (AP)



Pattaramon, 21, told Reuters Television she refused the abortion on religious grounds and carried both him and his twin sister to term six months ago. The parents, who have not been identified, took only the girl back with them to Australia.
The boy, Gammy, needs surgery for a congenital heart condition, according to media reports. An online campaign in Australia had raised nearly A$200,000 ($186,200) in donations so far for the operation.





"I want to warn those who are considering becoming a surrogate mother, don't only think about the money," Pattaramon  said. "If the child is born with an unusual condition or if anything goes wrong, it will become a burden for you and society."
The case has caused controversy in both Thailand and Australia and brought calls for commercial surrogacy to be banned in the Southeast Asian country. Thailand is a top destination for medical tourism and many couples come for services such as fertility treatment and some for surrogacy.




Pattaramon Chanbua, right, kisses her baby boy Gammy at a hospital in Chonburi province, southeastern Thailand Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014. The Australian government is consulting Thai authorities after news emerged that Gammy, a baby with Downs Syndrome was abandoned with Chanbua, his surrogate mother, in Thailand by his Australian parents, according to local media. (AP)