Outrage over Utah high school biology exam question asking students whether woman pregnant with Downs syndrome baby should abort 

  • Cody Okerlund took a picture of one of the questions on his biology final
  • The Utah Electronic High student was given a question about abortion
  • Principal Kathleen Webb doesn't know where the question came from
  • She said is has since been removed and is no longer available to students 
  • Utah law prohibits the testing or surveying of students on political affiliation and religious beliefs without prior written consent from parents

By Kalhan Rosenblatt For Dailymail.com

Published: 18:53 EST, 2 June 2016 | Updated: 20:41 EST, 2 June 2016

A Utah high school biology final included a question about abortion that asks what a mother should do if genetic testing reveals her child has Downs syndrome.

The question appeared on a test taken by Utah Electronic High School student Cody Okerlund, who snapped a photo on his phone.

The school's principal Kathleen Webb says the question did not come from Electronic High School's biology teacher, but couldn't say where it originated. 

Webb said the question has been removed from the pool and is no longer available to students.  

The question reads a 40-year-old woman 'has just learned she's pregnant with a child. Genetic testing has indicated that the child has Downs syndrome. 

Utah Electronic High School student Cody Okerlund snapped this photo on his biology final that asked about abortion 

Utah Electronic High School student Cody Okerlund snapped this photo on his biology final that asked about abortion 

'Their family doctor has recommended (the woman) have an abortion.'

The question then lists four choices the woman can make, which include waiting until the 'baby is ready to be born to re-do the genetic test', consider 'religious beliefs, financial burden, the mothers health' and other factors, trust the doctor's scientific knowledge and have the abortion or let the mother make the decision on her own because she has the greatest responsibility.

Utahns Against Common Core posted the image on Wednesday, which has caused debate on social media, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

Education activist Oak Norton told the Tribune he believes the school violated Utah law by testing students' moral, political and religious views.

Principal Kathleen Webb says the question did not come from Electronic High School's biology teacher, but couldn't say where it originated

Principal Kathleen Webb says the question did not come from Electronic High School's biology teacher, but couldn't say where it originated

'It's getting at, really, a survey of their beliefs. It's an opinion question, and it doesn't even include a full range of opinions,' he said. 

Okerlund broke testing rules by taking out his phone and snapping a picture of the question but said it was more important he alerted the administration to the question.    

'In order of importance, the most important part is the students' welfare,' Webb said. 

Lorri Higgins Okerlund, Okerlund's mother, said: 'This is a public school. We have every right to know what our kids are being asked and learning.'

Utah law prohibits the testing or surveying of students on political affiliation and religious beliefs without prior written consent of parents.

 

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