A US state that has banned abortions based on the child’s sex or whether they have Down Syndrome is facing legal action from the country’s biggest abortion group.
Indiana’s Governor Mike Pence, who signed the Bill into law, described it as “comprehensive pro-life measure”.
The new law bars someone from performing an abortion based on ‘genetic abnormalities’, such as Down Syndrome.
Most vulnerable
It also prevents abortions due to the race or sex of the child.
Explaining why he signed the legislation, Gov Pence said: “I believe that a society can be judged by how it deals with its most vulnerable — the aged, the infirm, the disabled and the unborn.”
He also said some of his “most precious moments as Governor have been with families of children with disabilities”, explaining that the children “never fail to move me with their love and joy”.
I believe that a society can be judged by how it deals with its most vulnerable — the aged, the infirm, the disabled and the unborn.
Governor Mike Pence
‘Constitutional right’
Pro-abortion group the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed the legal action on behalf of the state branch of Planned Parenthood.
The ACLU claimed that the law was a “gross interference with a fundamental constitutional right of privacy that all women have”.
Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky also criticised Gov Pence over his ‘personal views and ideology’.
Investigation
In recent months, a flurry of pro-life legislation has been backed across a number of US states.
The drive comes following an undercover investigation into Planned Parenthood last year by a pro-life group.
The investigation saw The Center for Medical Progress produce a series of videos showing senior employees and associates appearing to seek profit from body parts of aborted babies.