Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has signed off on a measure that could ultimately ban abortions performed solely because of a fetal Down syndrome diagnosis.
The prohibition is on hold because of the probability that it would be challenged on constitutional grounds and will only kick in if courts uphold similar restrictions in another state.
Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield, has said she sponsored the measure as a safeguard against social engineering, and the Legislature approved it over the objections of Democrats who said decisions about pregnancy termination should be left to a woman and her physician.