A Bill which seeks to stop discrimination against disabled babies in the womb has passed its Second Reading in the House of Lords and will now proceed to the next legislative stage.
If successful, Lord Shinkwin's Abortion (Disability Equality) Bill will remove section 1(1)(d) from the 1967 Abortion Act, which allows for abortion on the grounds of disability up-to-birth. In the UK, disability-selective abortions are currently available right up to the moment of birth whereas in most cases, “healthy” babies cannot be aborted beyond 24 weeks.
