A long-running Australian TV medical drama, "All Saints," included a storyline last week "in which a woman pregnant from an incestuous relationship with her brother is told her child may have Down syndrome as a result," The Age reports. Channel 7, which produces the show, has formally apologized for the episode.
But Down Syndrome Australia, which sent a formal complaint to Seven, says it will wait until the show's newest episode on June 3 airs before it decides whether it will accept the network's apology.
Down Syndrome Australia says it's considering a boycott of the show's advertisers if an apology and correction are not aired on "All Saints" June 3.
"All Saints has stigmatised every person with Down syndrome and their families," Dr Peter Sloan of Down Syndrome Australia said in The Daily Telegraph. "We already know of one instance where a child has been victimised because of this episode."
"There is no scientific basis for All Saints' grossly offensive storyline," he said.
Answering Down Syndrome Australia's initial complaint, Channel Seven issued a statement saying: "All Saints values its audience and has the greatest respect for their commitment to the program. Without reservation, to any members of the audience who have found an element of a recent story offensive, Channel Seven apologises."
