Richard Dawkins, author of the God Delusion, has become embroiled in a heated Twitter row after claiming it would be "immoral" to carry on with a pregnancy if the mother knew the foetus had Down's Syndrome.

READ: SHOULD PREGNANT DRUG ADDICTS BE CHARGED WITH ASSAULT AGAINST THEIR UNBORN BABY?

Dawkins made the comment in response to a Twitter user who said they would be faced with "a real ethical dilemma" if they became pregnant with a Down's Syndrome baby.

Professor Dawkins replied: "Abort it and try again. It would be immoral to bring it into the world if you have the choice."

He faced a backlash for his comment, with one mother, who has a child with the genetic condition, saying: "I would fight til my last breath for the life of my son. No dilemma."

WATCH: WOMAN FILMS HERSELF HAVING AN ABORTION TO PROVE IT 'ISN'T SCARY'

Prof Dawkins later defended his view, explaining: "Woman said she wouldn't know whether to abort. I told her what I would do & why. I OBVIOUSLY wouldn't TELL a woman what to do. Up to her."

He added: "If I were a woman with a DS fetus I personally would abort. So do most women in fact. If you wouldn't, good luck to you, it's your decision."

The Down's Syndrome Association (DSA) issued a response to Prof Dawkin's initial comment.

READ: NEW ABORTION COMEDY FILM TO HIT CINEMAS THIS SUMMER

They said: "People with Down's Syndrome can and do live full and rewarding lives, they also make a valuable contribution to our society.

"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.

"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."

READ: MIRACLE BABY SURVIVES MISCARRIAGE AND ABORTION PILL

What do you think of Richard Dawkins' comments? Let us know via the comments box below now.