The British government proposes abortion until delivery in the case of “severe disability, including mental or physical disability, which can significantly reduce the length or quality of life of a child.” It is therefore likely that, according to the proposed wording, without an explicit provision stipulating otherwise, abortion will be available in practice until the birth of the child.

Also in the case of detection of the type of disability that can be corrected, such as cleft lips or extra finger. Currently, in Northern Ireland, selective abortion for disability, e.g. due to Down syndrome, is not allowed, and therefore extremely rare. It is different in England and Wales, where most children who have Down Syndrome prenatal tests are being killed.

As stated by Lynn Murray, spokeswoman for the organization “Don’t Screen Us Out”, fighting for the lives of children with Down syndrome, “the implementation of these proposals would probably lead to a large increase in abortion in the case of birth defects and would reduce the size of our already small communit.”

“People are keen for equality after having children, but not before. Disabled children are most at risk of losing their lives before birth wherever screening and abortion are the norms of conduct. Northern Ireland protects their rights and we want it to stay that way, ” Murray explains.  

Source and image: pch24.pl