Utah governor signs Down syndrome abortion ban

Utah House of Representatives at work during the 2019 Legislative session in the Utah Capitol.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has signed a proposal to ban abortions if the only reason is the fetus has been diagnosed with Down syndrome.

But the legislation signed Friday will only go into effect if a similar law is upheld in court elsewhere, a provision added to address criticism that it could embroil the state in an expensive lawsuit.

Herbert did not immediately comment on his decision, but has said he’s generally “a pro-life guy.”

Republican Rep. Karianne Lisonbee has said she sponsored the measure because too many fetuses with a Down syndrome diagnosis are being aborted.

Opponents say it takes complicated personal decisions out of the hands of women and their doctors.

Similar laws in Indiana, Louisiana and Ohio have been blocked by courts.

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1 Comment

  • Warren s Pugh March 23, 2019 at 4:08 am Reply

    And? The grim reaper marches on. These little ones are
    “Dear to the heart of the shepherd”. Some might think
    this story applies only to these lovely children.

    The abortion industrys’ claim that women have a right
    to do with their bodies as they wish is bogus since as
    soon as society picks up the tab they have ‘sold their
    bodies’ to the public.

    Consider this. Former surgeon general Koop stated that
    in his own experience of delivering 20,000+ babies not
    once was it necessary to compromise the life of mother
    or child. The masters of deceit are not behind any
    imaginary ‘iron curtain”. They ‘is’ here.

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