Ohio OKs ban on genetic-defect abortion

The Ohio Legislature has passed legislation that would prohibit abortions sought because a fetus has been diagnosed with Down syndrome.

Lawmakers approved the bill Wednesday, sending it to the desk of Republican Gov. John Kasich who has not said explicitly whether he plans to sign it. Kasich, a staunch abortion opponent, earlier this year called a prohibition on abortion in cases of the genetic disorder “appropriate.”

If the bill is enacted, Ohio would become the latest state to try to stop women from aborting fetuses when they discover through prenatal testing that they have a chromosomal defect. Similar laws have been passed in North Dakota, Indiana and Louisiana, though the latter two have been blocked by the courts.

The issue of abortion in the case of genetic disorders is particularly fraught because of recent advances in prenatal testing. Down syndrome, which occurs when a person has an extra 21st chromosome and causes cognitive delays and other problems, can now be predicted through a blood test as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy. A firm diagnosis usually requires more invasive follow-up testing.

The Ohio measure is different from others because it focuses solely on Down syndrome. Doctors who knowingly violate the ban would face losing their medical licenses and could serve jail time. Women seeking the terminations, however, would not be punished.