by Steven Ertelt | LifeNews.com | 5/5/15 6:54 PM

The percentage of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome before birth and who eventually become victims of abortions is outlandishly high. Studies show somewhere in the neighborhood of 70-90 percent of unborn babies with Down syndrome are victimized by abortions.

To address the phenomenon, North Dakota eventually became the first state in the United States to ban abortions on babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome. With the governor’s signature on the ban in 2013, Republican Gov. Jack Dalrymple took that state in a decidedly pro-life direction.

Eventually a judge dismissed a legal challenge abortion activists brought against the legislation.

Now, the state of Ohio is considering a similar ban on abortions of babies with Down syndrome. Naturally, abortion backers have no problem with aborting babies simply because they have the disability.

Today, Ohio Right to Life’s Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act (H.B. 135) received its first legislative hearing as the Ohio House Committee on Community and Family Advancement heard sponsor testimony on Ohio Right to Life’s Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act. The legislation, sponsored by Representatives Sarah LaTourette and David Hall, could make Ohio a leader in protecting unborn babies with Down syndrome.

“Prohibiting discriminatory abortions is a critical step in Ohio’s efforts to sow a more empathetic and diverse culture across our state,” said Stephanie Ranade Krider, executive director of Ohio Right to Life. “Our culture is increasingly accepting of the marginalized members of our communities, as we should be. To refrain from extending this same level of protection and acceptance to our children in the womb would not only be inconsistent–it would be dangerously hypocritical.”

Families from around central Ohio joined Ohio Right to Life in the committee hearing in support of the legislation. Ohio Right to Life says that one of the primary goals of this legislation is to educate the public about discriminatory abortions and make the practice even more unconscionable in the public mind.

“I believe that life begins at conception and that abortion is wrong,” said Rep. Sarah LaTourette in her testimony. “But regardless of if you agree with me or not, I hope that you can see that this isn’t an issue about abortion – it’s an issue of discrimination. Discriminating against a person, not allowing them their God-given right to life, simply because they might have Down syndrome.”

To learn more about Ohio Right to Life’s Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act, click here.