The figures have increased incrementally as testing for Down's has gradually become a standard rather than extraordinary prenatal procedure.
Alive & Kicking states that 62 percent of all cases are currently diagnosed in the womb, with a massive 92 percent of mothers subsequently asking for the abortion option.
The estimated figure for abortions for Down's Syndrome in 2004 stands at 937, representing a threefold increase over the last 15 years, with 11 of these terminations occurring after the sixth month of pregnancy.
Mrs Lisa Green, is one woman who refused to abort her baby diagnosed at 35 weeks with Down's Syndrome and her story was recounted in both papers.
“What is evident to those defending the rights of every baby in the womb, and not least every disabled baby, is that as prenatal testing becomes the norm with more and more conditions identifiable, the more a eugenic quest for perfection is becoming a horrifying reality. And as a society we seem to have neither hesitation nor shame in making lists of those we believe would be better off dead.“In the face of such negativity, the story of Lisa Green and her baby boy Harrison is an inspiration. We see the courage of a family who refused to be drawn down the late abortion path. Mrs Green's account, however, of the pessimistic information she was given about the health of Harrison, and the availability of abortion as an appropriate solution is a story that we hear all too often. The pressure, often justified in the callous economics-speak of effective healthcare, is chilling. Sadly not all mothers are able to resist such directional counselling which sees nothing good and everything negative in the birth of a child with disability.”
Green continued, “At the very least parents undergoing prenatal testing for Down's Syndrome or any other condition should have access to non-directive counselling and accurate scientific information, including new developments in healthcare for the specific conditions. They should also be made aware of support networks that exist ready to give help where needed, and which include families ready to foster or adopt the babies in question.”
She concluded, “The Alive & Kicking campaign is fighting against the discriminatory nature of abortion for disability, and we will do everything to ensure that the human rights of the unborn disabled child are properly protected.”
