When it comes to abortion it seems there is a never-ending debate over IF it is right or wrong or WHEN is it right or wrong, WHO should be allowed abortions, and it goes on and on. The latest debate is over a bill in Ohio that has not been passed, but if it is could be very difficult to uphold.
The bill would make it illegal for doctors to perform an abortion if a woman is terminating in order to avoid having a baby with a genetic disorder. According to a long term study on abortion between 1995 and 2011, 50 -85% of women who learned that their baby likely had Down Syndrome chose to have an abortion. Supporters of the law say this is a trend that is discrimination against Down syndrome people and because of these abortions they are being “culled to extinction.”
Those who don’t support the law say it violates Roe v Wade, which grants a woman the right to have an abortion at any point until the fetus is viable. Critics have added that this would be difficult to enforce because women do not have to disclose why they are having an abortion.
Many parents of Down syndrome children are speaking out. One mother wrote that she would have had an abortion if she had known her child was going to have Down syndrome. Hallie Levine said, “If I had had a prenatal diagnosis, I would have obtained an abortion. Today, I am beyond grateful that I didn’t. But I cannot ever in any circumstances imagine insisting others not have that right.” Other parents are saying their children are precious and have showed true love and they wouldn’t change it for anything.
No matter what side you are on, this is a difficult decision and women shouldn’t be judged for their choice. Should the government really be telling women they can’t abort a child because it has a genetic disorder when abortion is legal?
