‘Deeply concerning’: UK parents vocally oppose discriminatory, eugenic abortions up to birth

A couple living in the United Kingdom is speaking out against a law that allows abortions all the way up to birth for disabilities like Down syndrome, noting that the birth of their own daughter has completely changed their view on the issue.

Steve and Natalie say that the birth of their daughter, Verity, 15 months ago opened their eyes to the reality that Down syndrome is not something to fear.

“I was very much of the old-fashioned view that I didn’t want to take on that burden – that was the word that would have been in my head at the time,” Steve told the BBC of his views prior to his daughter’s birth. “Now I can see how many possibilities there are for any child with a disability.”

Abortion in the UK is legal up until 24 weeks of pregnancy, but if a child has a diagnosis like Down syndrome, the abortion can legally take place all the way until birth. Natalie said that she and Steve are advocating for the repeal of the law that allows Down syndrome abortions for all nine months, noting that it’s “about equality.”

“She [Verity] wants to eat, she wants to sleep, she wants to have a clean bum – she has no extra needs than any other child her age,” Natalie added.

Recent statistics released last month show that abortions in the UK for Down syndrome continue to rise, with a 17% increase since 2019. Altogether, there were 760 abortions done in the country in 2022 due to a Down syndrome diagnosis. Momentum for a change to the law has been growing, with one young woman with Down syndrome named Heidi Crowter leading the charge. Other advocacy groups, like Don’t Screen Us Out, have been vocal in speaking out against the eugenic abortion policy.

“As a mother of a 24-year-old daughter who has Down’s syndrome, I see every day the unique value she brings to our family and the positive impact she has on others around her,” Don’t Screen Us Out spokesperson Lynn Murray said in a press release last week. “It is deeply concerning that despite the leaps that advocacy groups have made in raising awareness in support of people with Down’s syndrome, abortion in the case of Down’s syndrome is still so commonplace and widespread in the UK.”

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