08-24-2015, 08:44 PM
Fetal Abnormality and Politics
Ohio lawmakers are considering a controversial bill that would ban abortions sought because the baby has Down syndrome, placing the swing state at the center of a new battle for anti-abortion advocates.
The measure also has implications for the 2016 presidential race, as Ohio Gov. John Kasich seeks the Republican nomination and tries to walk a fine line between burnishing his pro-life credentials and positioning himself as a moderate member of the GOP field. He has not taken a position on the legislation.
"The governor is pro-life and believes strongly in the sanctity of human life, but we don't take a public position on every bill introduced into the Ohio General Assembly," Rob Nichols, a Kasich spokesman, told FoxNews.com. (HOTD: let's hear it Kasich, it makes a big difference to some of us who consider you a viable candidate -- so far.)
The Ohio bill would ban a physician from performing an abortion if they know the woman is seeking the procedure solely because of a test indicating Down syndrome in the fetus.
If the bill passes, what this means is that if a woman has a test for Down's Syndrome at say week 15 (that's the earliest the test that has the least chance of causing a miscarriage can be done) and it comes back positive, she needs to go to a non-associated doctor and lie if the abnormality results in her deciding to abort the pregnancy at any point thereafter - regardless of the fact that a healthy fetus can be aborted up to 24 weeks in the state.
I don't think people with Down's Syndrome or any other genetic abnormalities are second class citizens. But, I do think the woman has the right to decide on abortion if she doesn't believe she has the capacity to raise a special-needs child, or doesn't believe the child's quality of life would be good, or for other reasons. If there are no exceptions for fetal abnormality past viability, okay. But, to ban fetal abnormality abortions before the point of viability that applies to all other pregnancies in the state is illogical and for political gain only. IMO.
I hope Kasich doesn't support the bill, and I hope it fails.
Ref: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/...p=trending
Ohio lawmakers are considering a controversial bill that would ban abortions sought because the baby has Down syndrome, placing the swing state at the center of a new battle for anti-abortion advocates.
The measure also has implications for the 2016 presidential race, as Ohio Gov. John Kasich seeks the Republican nomination and tries to walk a fine line between burnishing his pro-life credentials and positioning himself as a moderate member of the GOP field. He has not taken a position on the legislation.
"The governor is pro-life and believes strongly in the sanctity of human life, but we don't take a public position on every bill introduced into the Ohio General Assembly," Rob Nichols, a Kasich spokesman, told FoxNews.com. (HOTD: let's hear it Kasich, it makes a big difference to some of us who consider you a viable candidate -- so far.)
The Ohio bill would ban a physician from performing an abortion if they know the woman is seeking the procedure solely because of a test indicating Down syndrome in the fetus.
If the bill passes, what this means is that if a woman has a test for Down's Syndrome at say week 15 (that's the earliest the test that has the least chance of causing a miscarriage can be done) and it comes back positive, she needs to go to a non-associated doctor and lie if the abnormality results in her deciding to abort the pregnancy at any point thereafter - regardless of the fact that a healthy fetus can be aborted up to 24 weeks in the state.
I don't think people with Down's Syndrome or any other genetic abnormalities are second class citizens. But, I do think the woman has the right to decide on abortion if she doesn't believe she has the capacity to raise a special-needs child, or doesn't believe the child's quality of life would be good, or for other reasons. If there are no exceptions for fetal abnormality past viability, okay. But, to ban fetal abnormality abortions before the point of viability that applies to all other pregnancies in the state is illogical and for political gain only. IMO.
I hope Kasich doesn't support the bill, and I hope it fails.
Ref: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/...p=trending