Anti-abortion groups split on Ohio bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Some anti-abortion groups support a bill to would ban abortion in Ohio after a fetal heartbeat is detected but other anti-abortion groups say they oppose it.

Ohio Right to Life, the biggest lobby group in the state, and the state Catholic conference refuse to support the bill, arguing the country is not ready for such a large step to be taken, The New York Times reported.

"There has always been a division between those who want to concentrate on what will make a difference, and those who are more interested in making a statement that makes them feel better," said James Bopp Jr., a lawyer in Indiana who is general counsel to National Right to Life.

However, the bill did garner some support from traditional anti-abortion leaders, such as Dr. John C. Willke of Cincinnati, a former president of National Right to Life.

"I was Mr. Incremental," Willke said of his career in promoting smaller restrictions. "But after nearly 40 years of abortion on demand, it's time to take a bold step forward."

"Step-by-step measures haven't stopped the killing," said Linda J. Theis, president of Ohio ProLife Action, a group that was formed in October to work on the so-called heartbeat bill. "It's hard to be against a bill that says that once a baby's heart is beating, you shouldn't take his life."