Ohio Abortion Law News: Bill to make it illegal for abortion of Down Syndrome baby
Ohio antiabortion groups are pushing for legislation to be passed regarding illegalization of a doctor performing abortion on a woman who wants to avoid having a baby with Down syndrome.
The New York Times states that the bill is expected to be approved by fall since lawmakers who have been endorsed by the National Right to Life Committee make up more than two-thirds of both houses.
While some politicians have aired their thoughts on the issue, Gov. John R. Kasich, Republican presidential candidate, has not released a statement.
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Ever since being elected in 2010, the governor has opted for several abortion restrictions, including one that requires women to undergo an ultrasound to see the baby before deciding if they really want to have the procedure. The governor's silence in the wake of the issue has drawn the attention of some people who are looking forward to what he has to say.
Meanwhile, Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, said his group is rounding up their time and efforts on the certain bill because Down syndrome is a disorder that is easily recognized and diagnosed even in the early stages of pregnancy, thus allowing for women to likely opt for abortion.
"We all want to be born perfect, but none of us are, and everyone has a right to live, perfect or not," he said. "You go to any supermarket or mall and see these families who just happen to have a child with Down syndrome, and they will tell you how fortunate they are to have those children. Pretty soon, we're going to find the gene for autism. Are we going to abort for that, too?"
Although support for the bill has been showered by many pro-lifers, several abortion rights lawyers clarified that a law as such would directly violate the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision, which states that a woman has the right to choose abortion.
Local and national Down syndrome groups have not taken a position on the bill, but several parents of children with Down syndrome have courageously declared their stand for the bill.
