Press release for immediate release
Almost 90% of all babies prenatally diagnosed with Down’s syndrome were screened out by abortion in 2021
Disability campaigners have called for MPs to urgently update abortion legislation after statistics released by NHS England this morning reveal that 87.26% of all babies prenatally diagnosed with Down’s syndrome in England and the Crown Dependencies were screened out by abortion in 2021.
The release of the statistics comes the same week as Sir Liam Fox, former GP, cabinet minister and defence secretary, has tabled an amendment to the Government’s Criminal Justice Bill, signed by 40 MPs, which will bring the abortion time limit for babies with Down’s syndrome in line with the time limit for babies that do not have disabilities.
Don’t Screen Us Out has reacted to the publishing of the statistics by calling on MPs to urgently update legislation to ensure that babies with Down’s syndrome cannot be aborted up to birth.
The statistics show that:
- In 2021 out of 1,115 babies prenatally diagnosed with Down’s syndrome in England and the Crown Dependencies, a total of 973, or 87.26%, were screened out by abortion. (table 5, column C)
- In 2020, 84.28% of babies prenatally diagnosed with Down’s syndrome in England were screened out by abortion. (table 6, column C)
- In 2021, a total of 700 babies in England and the Crown Dependencies were born with Down’s syndrome including those diagnosed after birth. (table 1, cell D108) .
- In 2021, 108 babies with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate (table 1, cell G48) and 53 babies with a club foot (table 1, cell G86) in England and the Crown Dependencies were screened out by termination.
Please note that the 2021 published data includes England and the Crown Dependencies (Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man) whereas the 2020 published data only included England.
Lynn Murray, spokesperson for Don’t Screen Us Out and mother of Rachel who has Down’s syndrome, said:
“It is deeply saddening to see the shockingly high percentage of babies prenatally diagnosed with Down’s syndrome who are screened out by abortion.”
“As a mother of a 24-year-old daughter who has Down’s syndrome, I see every day the unique value she brings to our family and the positive impact she has on others around her.”
“These statistics show the urgent need for MPs to update legislation to ensure that babies with Down’s syndrome cannot be aborted up to birth.”
“By having a different time limit for babies with disabilities including Down’s syndrome, section 1(1)(d) of the Abortion Act, promotes inequality and perpetuates negative stereotypes. This law sends a message that people with Down’s syndrome are less worthy of life and protection than others.”
“The provision in the Abortion Act harks back to a time when we thought it was better for people with disabilities not to be part of our society. We live in a far more inclusive and progressive society now, where we celebrate diversity, and all of our laws should reflect that.”
ENDS
- Don’t Screen Us Out is a group of over 17,000 people with Down’s syndrome, their families and supporters who are actively working to build a United Kingdom (UK) where people with Down’s syndrome are equally valued and have an equal chance of being born.
- For more information on the Don’t Screen Us Out campaign, see our website www.dontscreenusout.org or email info@dontscreenusout.org
- For interviews, contact Don’t Screen Us Out spokesperson Lynn Murray on 0784 0966 736 or email info@dontscreenusout.org
- Photos and videos of Heidi and other people with Down’s syndrome holding rallies to support the case that are available to be freely used by media are here:
- Previous news coverage featuring Heidi Crowter:
- Recordings of media interviews on the BBC, ITV, Sky etc are available here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG6Sw7kMnaLXUop-qCQP72ZEMLZ6YghZY
- Telegraph – https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/18/woman-downs-syndrome-says-better-dead-eyes-law-ahead-legal-challenge/
- Sky News – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz0pU7TKqb0
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8351603/Woman-Downs-Syndrome-launches-legal-bid-end-abortion-discrimination.html
- BBC Victoria Derbyshire Show – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeNuWj3xhbM
- Channel 5 News – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeNuWj3xhbM
- Guardian – https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/dec/03/my-life-is-just-as-important-as-everybody-elses-meet-the-disability-leaders
- BBC – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/45790521/the-23-year-old-busting-myths-about-down-s-syndrome
- ITV News – https://www.itv.com/news/central/2019-03-21/he-makes-me-the-happiest-girl-in-the-world-twenty-three-year-old-with-downs-on-her-love-life-and-work-wouldntchangeathing-downs-syndrome-world-downs-syndrome-day/
- Huffington Post – https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/having-downs-syndrome-doesnt-make-me-less-of-a-person_uk
- Daily Mail – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/video-1318649/Heidi-Crowter-s-powerful-s-Syndrome-message-Jeremy-Hunt.html
