From 1988 till 1990 there was a concerted effort in Parliament to prevent abortion for Down’s Syndrome. The response sadly was to allow it up to birth itself where previously the upper limit had been 28 weeks.
Concerned also that allowing abortion for disability up to birth could cover conditions such as club foot or cleft palate, the pro-life lobby worked hard to legislate to have the disability specified on the form but again failed in a tied vote. Now, at last, another effort is being made, albeit outside Parliament, to have the law changed.
It is being spearheaded by two women, one of whom has Down’s and another who has a child with the condition.
