The Government is under reporting the number of babies being aborted for Down’s Syndrome, according to national statistics.
The National Down Syndrome Cytogenetic Register (NDSCR) reported that 942 babies with the condition were aborted in 2010.
But the Department of Health only recorded 482 terminations for Down’s Syndrome, showing that 49 per cent were not reported.
Discrepancy
The Catholic Herald said the Government has acknowledged the difference in figures and will look into the issue.
It reported a government spokesman as saying: “We are aware that there is a potential discrepancy in figures and are looking into this in further detail.”
The NDSCR was set up more than 20 years ago, and holds data of all cases of Down’s Syndrome in England and Wales.
Problem
Peter Saunders, chairman of the Christian Medical Fellowship, questioned whether this points to problems with abortion reporting on a much larger scale.
He said: “Might it actually be that only half of all abortions for any fetal abnormality are being reported?
“In other words might the Department of Health figures be grossly under-reporting the total number of abortions in England and Wales?”
He added: “Whatever the truth of the matter is, the disparities in the figures are alarming and need to be investigated urgently.”