"... marginally productive"

In The Arms of His Love by Del Parson

I read the article Down syndrome a modern-day death sentence By Joseph A. Cannon (Deseret News Monday, Feb. 16, 2009) and found myself becoming quite agitated, especially after reading these statements:

"'Like many,' notes Libertarian commentator Nicholas Provenzo, 'I am troubled by the implications of . . . Sarah Palin's decision to knowingly give birth to a child disabled with Down syndrome. Given that Palin's decision is being celebrated in some quarters, it is crucial to reaffirm the morality of aborting a fetus diagnosed with Down syndrome.'

"This is necessary, Provenzo informs us, 'because a person afflicted with Down syndrome is only capable of being marginally productive.'"

What does “marginally productive” mean? What does being “productive” mean?

Was I being “productive” this morning because I made the bed? Was I being “productive” when I carved the rotisserie chicken I purchased? Was I being “productive” when I made a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies this morning?

My son Jim is developmentally disabled. He is unable to live independently. He is unable to hold a job. He attends this program: SVS. Is my son, and his developmentally disabled peers, “only capable of being marginally productive?”

Here are a couple of definitions of “productive:”

Bringing into being; causing to exist; producing; originative; as, an age productive of great men; a spirit productive of heroic achievements.

Yielding favorable or useful results; constructive.

Joseph Cannon wrote:

"We are now quickly sliding down the slippery slope. What about people who are only 'marginally productive' after they are born or when they get old? Are their lives worth preserving? And what does 'marginally productive' mean anyway? In the literature 'marginally productive' very often edges into 'merely inconvenient.'

Will the day come when we as a civilization will euthanize anyone considered “marginally productive?” Will we become a people where it is “survival of the fittest?” Are researchers trying to develop a “master race?” Is eugenics alive and flourishing today?

What are your thoughts?