Foetal Alcohol Syndrome

I have recently read an article in the Times by Minnette Mirin bewailing the fact that the government has issued new guidelines saying that you shouldn't drink during pregnancy. Now, I suppose that, as right-wingers, it is reasonable to suppose that such nanny-state announcements have rubbed her up the wrong way.

But why?

I am, of course, against banning things when it is un-necessary; but I hardly think that the issuing of guidelines against something that could very easily harm a defenseless foetus are in this league.

Whilst it is true that a small amount of alcohol is unlikely to harm a foetus, as she herself points out, there is far from scientific consensus on the issue of what amount is safe - and I have recently been told be a teratologist that as little as 3oz on one day in the 'danger zone' of 3-8 weeks could cause the dreaded foetal alcohol syndrome. Is it so important for pregnant women to have a glass of wine, that they are willing to put their child at risk?

Also, this dreadful woman bemoans the fact that we are being 'treated like ninnies' in a state that is issuing 'one rule for all' as a precaution against those who unknowingly break the limit. This point is one that I'm afraid I do not understand. If we are not all 'ninnies' - and therefore, presumably, savvy enough to interpret the evidence and come to reasonable conclusions - then there is no obligation for us to obey the advice. If they are not, and listening to government advice is the way in which they are able to interpret the scientific world as applied to us, then I fear that we will necessarily recieve advice on things that are far from straight-forward being simplified for our purposes.

Whilst I often have very little sympathy for the government, it does seem hideously unfair that advice intended to ensure our health is being interpreted as the grossest assault on our liberties. Perhaps the government should say nothing and leave it for us to work out by ourselves.

Anyhow, I doubt there will be much harm done. If we are all such worldly-wise and functional human beings as Ms. Mirrin, then I'm sure the advice will fall on happily deaf ears anyway.