- Controversial comments from scientist came during debate on Twitter
- Dawkins posted link to an article about Catholic Church and abortion
- Was asked what to do if pregnant with foetus with Down’s syndrome
- Says: ‘It would be immoral to bring it into the world if you have choice’
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Atheist: Richard Dawkins made the comments during a debate on Twitter with some of his followers
Richard Dawkins risked provoking fury today by claiming foetuses with Down’s syndrome should be aborted – and parents should ‘try again’.
The controversial comments from the scientist, who is a vocal atheist, came during a debate on Twitter with some of his 1million followers.
A discussion began when Professor Dawkins posted a link to an article in liberal US magazine New Republic entitled ‘The Catholic Church prefers medieval barbarism to modern abortion’.
Professor Dawkins, 73, said: ‘Ireland is a civilised country except in this one area. You’d think the Roman Church would have lost all influence.’
In response, Irish Catholic fitter Aidan McCourt asked him: ’994 human beings with Down’s syndrome deliberately killed before birth in England and Wales in 2012. Is that civilised?’
Professor Dawkins said: ‘Yes, it is very civilised. These are foetuses, diagnosed before they have human feelings.’
He later added: ‘Learn to think in non-essentialist ways. The question is not “is it ‘human’?†but “can it suffer?â€â€˜
Then, he was told by Boston-based writer ‘InYourFaceNewYorker’: ‘I honestly don’t know what I would do if I were pregnant with a kid with Down’s syndrome. Real ethical dilemma.’
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Comments: A discussion began when Dawkins posted a link to an article in liberal US magazine New Republic entitled ‘The Catholic Church prefers medieval barbarism to modern abortion’
Professor Dawkins replied: ‘Abort it and try again. It would be immoral to bring it into the world if you have the choice.’
A Down’s Syndrome Association spokesman told MailOnline: ‘People with Down’s syndrome can and do live full and rewarding lives, they also make a valuable contribution to our society.Â
‘At the Down’s Syndrome Association, we do not believe Down’s syndrome in itself should be a reason for termination, however, we realise that families must make their own choice.Â
‘The DSA strives to ensure that all prospective parents are given accurate and up to date information about the condition and what life might be like today for someone with Down’s syndrome.’
Professor Dawkins’s comments come after he said last week that having a faith helped foster terrorism. He suggested those who believe in God enable suicide bombers to murder thousands and make the ‘world safe’ for extremists.
And last month he referred to ‘mild date rape’ and ‘mild paedophilia’ in comments on Twitter.
Campaigners for women and child abuse victims condemned those posts as ‘offensive and damaging’. He became embroiled in the row when he made a point about logical thinking.Â
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