Legislature votes to ban abortions over genetic defects

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The Indiana Legislature has approved a measure that would ban women from seeking an abortion due to a genetic abnormality like Down syndrome.

The House agreed Wednesday to changes made in the Senate, voting 60-40 to send the bill to Governor Mike Pence’s desk.

The bill allows lawsuits against abortion providers for wrongful death and could lead to professional sanctions if an abortion is performed solely due to a fetal disease, defect or disorder.

Indiana Right to Life’s Cathie Humbarger supports the bill for professional and personal reasons – including her two grandchildren who live with a genetic disorder.

Patti Stauffer, of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, said the bill is nothing more than government intrusion..

Many of the state’s female lawmakers, including Republicans, spoke out against the bill. They say the bill goes too far, could require pregnant women to endure complicated pregnancies that pose a danger to their health and would lead women to not speak candidly with their doctors.

Pence has not said if he’ll sign the bill.