An Early Day Motion has been tabled calling on the government to delay the implementation of a new pre-natal screening test for Down's syndrome.
The test will make use of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), also known as cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, to screen a pregnant mother's blood for tiny fragments of DNA. These fragments are then checked for abnormalities, such as Down's syndrome, and Edward's syndrome, at between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.
Despite widespread opposition the screening is currently being considered for approval by the NHS.
'A failure'
Early Day Motion 44, tabled by Conservative MP Nigel Evans, notes that the test could lead to an additional 92 children with Down's syndrome being aborted each year.
This would leave the UK's Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP) in violation of their treaty obligations to the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Article 23, section 3 of CRPD calls for "early and comprehensive support for children with Down's and their families", something Mr Evans believes the UK currently lacks.
He has called on the government to ensure the FASP is fully compliant with the CRPD and other relevant disability rights standards.
Contact your MP
'Don't Screen Us Out', a campaign highlighting concerns over Down's syndrome screening, has called upon the general public to contact their MPs and ask them to sign the Early Day Motion.
Their website's 'Email your MP' feature will allow you to send an editable pre-written letter to your MP highlighting the dangers behind the new tests. Alternatively, you may wish to contact your MP by letter, which typically has a better outcome.
Amazing momentum
Don't Screen Us Out has said: "We have had an amazing amount of momentum generated by this campaign and wider concern from the community about cfDNA screening. Let's keep it up."
Early Day Motions are formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons. While very few are debated, they allow MPs to draw attention to an event, issue or cause. MPs register their support by signing individual motions.
Related Links:
Early Day Motion 44: Down's syndrome Don't Screen Us Out Campaign (Parliament)
Parliament Early Day Motion On New Screening For Down’s Syndrome Launched (Don't Screen Us Out)
Prime Minister questioned on screening out people with Down's Syndrome
Don't Screen Us Out initiative to protect babies with Down's