The Texas Legislature is meeting in Austin, and Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) have filed HB 2215/SB 123, an unfortunate bill to add exceptions to the protections of unborn babies from abortion in the Texas Human Life Protection Act. These bills would allow babies to be aborted who have been diagnosed with a lethal anomaly or even just a life-limiting diagnosis.

We oppose this and every attempt to weaken Texas’ strong pro-life laws. Every baby, even a baby who is terminally ill, deserves protection from abortion.

Ultrasound Image of Bosco Cooper

Texas Alliance for Life’s public policy analyst, Deirdre Cooper, has first-hand experience with this. Her son, Bosco, was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 in utero and died during childbirth. Trisomy 18, known as Edwards Syndrome, is frequently fatal.

Though pressured to do so, Deirdre did not abort her son. For Deirdre, the decision to not take the life of her son was not difficult. Bosco’s life, like every life, had value and deserved to be protected. She feels strongly that no child should be discriminated against based on his abilities. No child deserves to be killed because of his diagnosis.

Perhaps well intended, HB 2215/SB 123 amounts to a slap in the face to Bosco, his mother Deirdre, and every other child society deems to be less than perfect due to an unfavorable diagnosis. Texas women and children facing lethal or life-limiting diagnoses deserve support and resources, not abortion.

You can read Deirdre’s story here:

One Response to “Protections for Babies with Fatal Conditions”

  1. Kristy Morman

    I’d be interested to hear your take on this woman’s story (from Texas). I assume you would have encouraged her to carry until birth and then deliver, which clearly would have been emotionally traumatic for her (and her health). I know you will not change your stance, and that’s not what I’m trying to do, but I wanted to share this example as a situation where it’s not always cut and dry as to what decision to make.

    https://jessica.substack.com/p/an-american-nightmare-young-pregnant?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=11153&post_id=127792803&isFreemail=false&utm_medium=email

    Reply

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