The non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) is used by the NHS to test for genetic conditions, but it also reveals a baby’s sex at an early stage of pregnancy.
The Labour Party’s shadow minister for women and equalities, Naz Shah, has expressed concern about the tests. She said there’s a preference for boy babies in some minority communities. The result is some women are put under pressure to have an abortion if the NIPT results say it’s a girl.
Alithea Williams from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children says using abortion as a way to select the sex of babies is more common in parts of Asia.
A BBC investigation highlighted that the practice has spread to the UK. According to SPUC, the pressure on women can take different forms.
“It might just be subtle disapproving such as why haven’t you had a boy? But it might be actual violence and abuse”, SPUC said.
SPUC have given only a lukewarm welcome to Naz Shah’s expression of concern. The organisation says most Labour MPs have a track record of opposing any tightening of the abortion law.
SPUC want concern about NIPT to be used as a wake-up call for the broader issues linked to abortion in the UK.
Williams believes abortion has now become available on demand, rather than within the limits set by the law.
“All these people who are really shocked by babies being aborted because it’s a girl, and it is shocking, but we…
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