Woman with Down syndrome loses UK abortion law challenge

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By SYLVIA HUI

LONDON (AP) — A woman with Down syndrome lost a court challenge against the British government Thursday over a law allowing the abortion up until birth of a fetus with the condition.

Heidi Crowter, 26, and two others took the Department of Health and Social Care to court, arguing that part of the Abortion Act is discriminatory and violates the European Convention on Human Rights.

Abortions in England, Wales and Scotland are allowed up till 24 weeks of pregnancy. But the law states that terminations can be allowed up until birth if there’s “a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped.”

Crowter, who lives independently and recently got married, has said that she found the legislation “offensive” and disrespectful. She said she wanted to change the law to challenge people’s perception of Down syndrome.



Campaigner Heidi Crowter looks on after speaking to the media after her court case, outside the High Court in London, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. A woman with Down’s syndrome has lost a court challenge against the British government over a law allowing the abortion up until birth of a foetus with the condition. Heidi Crowter, 26, and two others argued that part of the Abortion Act is discriminatory. Abortions in England, Wales and Scotland are allowed up till 24 weeks of pregnancy, but terminations can be allowed up until birth if there is “a substantial risk" that if the child were born it would suffer from serious abnormalities. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/europe-health-laws-england-scotland-7d9b6fc9d4f5b0b325b4927c4c15cf2f

[not fooled]

1. What I want to know

Paul Conrathe, a lawyer from the firm representing the three claimants, called the judgment disappointing and “out of step with modern attitudes to disability.”

is who paid for the attorney? Are there RWNJ forces over there using this case as the gateway to attacking abortion rights?

[PoliticAverse]

4. It's crowdfunded...

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/downrightdiscrimination/

[MissMillie]

2. Don't particularly care if anyone is offended by this law

A decision need to be made by the person who is affected by the decision.

Anyone choosing to continue a pregnancy where such a "substantial risk" exists still has the right to do so.

[Lunabell]

3. Bless her heart.

I know she has a wonderful quality of life, but many with Down's syndrome don't. I'm a 30 year nurse and have seen Down's syndrome in many forms. Many have such a severe form that they are immobile, live their lives bound to a bed, have painful contractures, can't communicate their needs, and are fed with a tube. Some have tracheostomies to breath.

It's a woman's choice as to how much she can bear. And in my opinion, I would not take the chance that my child may be born with such a sad and tragic fate. It is cruel.

[Ziggysmom]

5. I dunno. Why wait till the fetus is of viable gestational age to get an abortion?

24 weeks gestation has a 68% chance of survival if not otherwise abnormal. I'm pro choice but this one has me thinking.......

[uppityperson]

6. Because things may or may not develop correctly, for starters

[LisaL]

7. People get to decide for themselves.

NT

[NickB79]

8. She didn't have standing

She wasn't materially harmed in any way by this law that could overrule the right of other women to make medical choices over their own bodies.

[cinematicdiversions]

9. The reductions in disabilities and generic diseases

Is one of the big pluses of abortion. Down Syndrome was ubiquitous whole I was growing up. Now the condition is much rarer.

The right for a woman not to have to bear a child with a developmental disability is a no brainerbin our society. With advancements in testing hopefully other disabilities and less desirable traits can also be reduced and eliminated

[raising2moredems]

10. And it is more than just bearing the child...

Raising a healthy child is not inexpensive and society pitches in with the cost (schools). The very same people who rail against adults collecting disability are painfully silent in this situation. If the parents can't raise the child or the parent die, now the burden falls on society. And again, the "pro-lifers" have no issue with Medicaid paying but refuse an otherwise healthy child medical care, safe drinking water/housing, adequate food, the list goes on.