Abortion reform group wants new Down's syndrome test scrapped

Thu, 24 Nov 2016

A group campaigning for changes to the Island's abortion law is backing calls for new prenatal tests for Down's syndrome not to be introduced on the Island.

Disability rights activists on the Island and British group Don't Screen Us Out have both appealed for Health Minister Kate Beecroft to rethink the decision to bring in non-invasive prenatal testing.

The Humanity and Equality in Abortion Reform campaign believes the new tests will result in more abortions and a 13% drop in the population of people with Down's syndrome.

HEAR also claims more prenatal testing will lead to an increase in pressure on pregnant women.

One UK study claims up to 90% of pregnancies where Down's syndrome is detected end in terminations.

The test, which is expected to be rolled out in 2018, carries a lower risk of miscarriage than the current procedure.