THE founder of the East Lancashire Down’s Syndrome Support Group has handed a petition to the government opposing the blood test that will give expectant mothers the option to abort a Down’s foetus.

Phil Shatliff’s son Lucas was born with Down’s Syndrome and along with other parents of Down’s children, he took the petition to the Department for Health.

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The 47-year-old had more than 1,000 signatures against the non-invasive prenatal test which will be offered to women who are found to have a one-in-150 chance of having Down’s.

The test will be introduced in 2018 after the government approved it although there is a national concern that it will lead to abortions and ‘wipe-out’ the Down’s community.

Mr Shatliff said: “What the government has approved is basically unethical, it’s eradicating those with down’s and there is completely no need for it.

“Along with a few other members of the group I took the petition to London and hand-delivered it.

“Nobody came out but we are completely against this blood test for expectant mothers.

“These new tests are also in their infancy so the fact that they haven’t been around for a long time is also a problem.”

Currently, around 750 babies are born with Down’s Syndrome in the UK every year and about 40,000 people with the condition living in the country.

However, about 90 per cent of women in the UK with a positive Down’s diagnosis currently have abortions, so there are concerns among some that this will mean that a large number of those extra babies diagnosed will be terminated.

Mr Shatliff said that expectant mothers who choose to carry on with their pregnancy should be given the relevant support.

He said: “When women find out that their baby has Down’s they are automatically offered an abortion.

“But what we need to know is that people with Down’s can go on to live a normal life.” They can achieve and have a good quality life, too.

“Support and education on bringing up a child with Down’s should be at the forefront of government legislation.”