Could this bill put an end to Down syndrome abortions in Ohio?

Last updated on: September 26, 2017 at 11:08 pm by CNA Daily News

Could this bill put an end to Down syndrome abortions in Ohio? 2017-09-26T23:08:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Columbus, Ohio, Sep 26, 2017 / 05:08 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An Ohio bill hopes to stop abortions undertaken solely because an unborn child has Down syndrome.

“It’s very concerning to think that some lives would be judged as less valuable than others,” said Sen. Frank LaRose, R-Hudson, according to the Associated Press. LaRose is the sponsor of the Ohio Senate version of the bill.

Ohio Senate Bill 164 and House Bill 214 both aim to stop doctors from performing abortions “if the person has knowledge that the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion solely because” the unborn child has been diagnosed with Down syndrome.

The bill would not punish any mothers who seek an abortion after a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis.

Doctors who violate the restriction by attempting to abort children because of their Down syndrome diagnosis would be charged with a fourth-degree felony, and the state medical board will be required to revoke their license. They would also be held accountable for legal fees and charges.

Down syndrome, or trisomy-21, is a common genetic disorder, caused when a child’s DNA contains an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. It affects roughly one in 700 babies born in the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The condition can result in intellectual and physical delays and disabilities, and can result in increased risks of congenital heart defects, thyroid conditions, childhood leukemia and Alzheimer’s disease. Thanks to improved healthcare treatments and educational approaches, children born with Down syndrome now have a life expectancy of around 60 years, and more options for employment and independent living are available to them.

According to a 2012 study on termination rates of people with Down syndrome, around 75 percent of expectant mothers whose babies have a confirmed prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis terminate the pregnancy. Roughly 5 percent of women receive the most sensitive and invasive Down syndrome test, but other, less invasive testing methods have improved their accuracy and broadened the number of women receiving some form of Down syndrome testing.

According to research coordinated by Massachusetts General Hospital, voluntary termination has contributed to a drop somewhere between 26 and 52 percent in the number of babies expected to be born with Down syndrome.

It is still unclear which prenatal tests the bill will consider to be proof of a Down syndrome diagnosis, or how this bill will impact prenatal testing in the state more broadly.

If passed, Ohio will not be the first state to ban abortion for reasons of ability or genetic factors. Arizona, Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and South Dakota already ban sex-selective abortions, and Arizona bans abortion on the grounds of race. North Dakota bans abortion in cases of genetic abnormality. Indiana, Missouri, and South Dakota have also considered banning abortion after diagnoses of Down syndrome.

In June 2016, Pope Francis said that those who seek to “eliminate” disabled people “fail to understand the real meaning of life, which also has to do with accepting suffering and limitations.”

Previous Post

September 26, 2017

How should a Catholic evaluate health care policy?

Next Post

September 27, 2017 US House to vote on banning abortion after 20 weeks

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In Revelation, what does John eat that is sweet in his mouth but sour in his stomach?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A sealed book A little scroll The word of God Honey