British pro-life leaders say autism tests could lead to more abortion

Published: 2004-04-26

MANCHESTER, England (CNS) -- British pro-life leaders said media reports that autism could be diagnosed in the womb will lead to more abortions. Jack Scarisbrick, chairman of the pro-life organization Life, said the reports of the study, conducted by Cambridge University, were a "very dangerous development." "Be under no illusion -- it will lead to more abortion," he said in an April 19 statement. Scarisbrick said he was concerned parents would be under increasing pressure to abort fetuses diagnosed with autism, a developmental disorder that affects the functioning of the brain.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .