Iceland AMA

[Puffinshop]

I'm a naturalised Icelandic citizen, born and raised in England and living in the capital area of Iceland for over a decade. Fluent Icelandic speaker, mother of Icelandic children.

Can't offer a native Icelandic perspective but if you have any questions about Iceland please feel free

How do you feel about Iceland being the first country to declare they have “ eradicated” downs syndrome?

We have been at February half term before and it was lovely. Windy though.

This is not true at all. What is your source for this?

I think there was a misleading documentary that said no babies with DS had been born in a year in Iceland, which was true, but the total number of babies born in a year in Iceland is much much lower than most countries. The whole population is only about 350,000. So it's easy for there to be years when this would happen.

It is absolutely false to imply that no babies with DS are ever born in Iceland and nobody has ever said it's been 'eradicated' (which wouldn't even make sense).

In my opinion, no not really.

This lie is doing the rounds on IG, I came across it a few days ago. Basically pro-life people claiming the practise of eugenics, via the 'eradication' of downs syndrome in Iceland.

It's true that abortion is free and easy to access in Iceland. Women always have a choice. I suppose that's their real problem.

The global incidence of DS is apparently about 1 in 1000 and the annual birth rate in Iceland is over 4000 but less than 5000. So it just takes 4 or 5 women above average choosing to abort a foetus with DS for none to be born in a year. I don't personally feel this is worth any angst.

It's certainly not a policy aim.🙄

Hi OP, thanks for this thread. I brought my DD to Reykjavik when she was 5, and planning to return to Iceland this summer when she will be 8 during August school summer hols.

Should we stick with Reykjavik and day trips out? or is there somewhere else nice we could be based? She loves good food, hot pools, nature.

I'd rent a car and find a summer house in the countryside if you can - a nice one with a hot tub. Perhaps somewhere near Borgarnes or on the south coast. There is a lot to do and in August you may even see the northern lights out in the countryside.

If you go to the south coast, a day trip to Vestmannaeyjar is well worth it.