Columbus, Ohio, Dec 14, 2017 / 15:00 pm
On Friday, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed a bill that will penalize doctors who perform abortions, if the abortion is chosen "in whole or in part," because the unborn child has received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
The bill passed the state's Senate 20-12 earlier this month.
Proponents of the law were optimistic that Kasich would approve the measure, given that the Republican governor has passed over a dozen laws which have limited abortion protections or funding in the past six years.
The law will charge physicians with a fourth-degree felony, and the potential of a revoked medical license, if they perform an abortion wholly or partially motivated by Down syndrome. Mothers would not face charges.
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when an individual's DNA contains an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. Also known as trisomy-21, Down syndrome is a relatively common genetic disorder, affecting around one in 700 babies born in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has risen dramatically in recent decades, thanks to modern resources and healthcare. A 2011 study found that people with Down syndrome report high levels of happiness and personal satisfaction, as do their siblings and other family members.
However, data from a 2012 study have shown that 75 percent of women who are pregnant with a child who has received a Down syndrome diagnosis will terminate the pregnancy.
While the measure has caused some backlash from advocates for abortion, pro-life groups in the state have applauded the bill as a victory.
"Every Ohioan deserves the right to life, no matter how many chromosomes they have," said Mike Gonidakis, the president of Ohio Right to Life, according to Reuters.
Because it is unclear how the motivating factors for abortion can be proven, there will likely be some legal challenges to the bill. The ACLU has opposed the bill, calling it unconstitutional.
Similar measures were passed in Indiana and North Dakota, but the Indiana law was revoked by a U.S. District Judge in September after a lawsuit was filed by the ACLU. The North Dakota law has not faced legal challenges.
This story was updated on 12/22 at 10:15 a.m.
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