Bill to Protect Preborn Babies with Down Syndrome from Abortion Advances in the North Carolina House

A bill that would protect preborn babies with Down syndrome from abortion is advancing through the North Carolina legislature, with support from members of both parties.

House Bill 453, also known as The Human Life Non-Discrimination Act, states, “Whereas, it is well-established that human life begins at conception and continues in an unbroken progression through birth until death. Every individual on this continuum is a ‘human being,’ meaning a member of the species Homo sapiens.”

In addition to protecting preborn babies with Down syndrome, one of the largest special needs’ groups targeted by abortionists, it would also subject physicians to potentially monetary damages if they perform an abortion because of the preborn baby’s race or suspected race or sex.

“We do not want to be the kind of society that not only discriminates, but disposes of children because of the way they are created,” state Rep. Dean Arp said. He is one of the primary sponsors of the bill. “North Carolina citizens do not want to be that kind of society either.”

Another sponsor of the bill, Rep. Pat McElraft, said, “All babies−born and unborn− have intrinsic dignity and worth and should be protected from the practice of eugenic abortion in North Carolina.”

Julie Scott Emmons, who is the executive director of N.C. Values, said, “This bill is not a sham. It actually places a hedge of protection around an entire class of human beings who should not have to pass a genetic test to earn the right to be born.”

There were some Democrats who also joined in to support this bill.

Democrats for Life tweeted, “BREAKING NEWS: Six Pro-Life Democrats in the North Carolina House of Reps just went against their entire caucus and voted for a bill that would ban physicians from performing abortions because of race or sex, or because the fetus is suspected to have Down syndrome.

“Thank you for standing up for human rights against intense pressure! Rep. Gailliard Rep. Graham Rep. Pierce Rep. Quick Rep. Smith Rep. Wray.”

State Rep. Verla Insko disagreed, stating, “I find this bill discriminatory against pregnant women. I cannot imagine anything that is more threatening than to have someone take control of my body. I would much prefer that we push birth control.”

“Forcing someone to carry a pregnancy to term against their will does nothing to address discrimination or improve the lives of people living with Down syndrome,” Planned Parenthood’s Susanna Birdsong, of its South Atlantic affiliate, said.

A handful of states have already passed similar laws regarding Down syndrome, but all have been challenged in court. This legislation will now move to the Senate, though if it passes Gov. Roy Cooper is likely to veto.

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