The abortion issue

In the God's Politics blog there has been a lively debate about the abortion issue which is at the forefront of political issues in American elections. Political candidates have to show themselves pro-lifers or pro-choice so I tried to add some thoughts of my own. What follows is an edited version -

'In the UK we certainly do have lively and emotional debate between pro-lifers and pro-choicers but there is also a middle way. The issue was debated last in May (see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4350259.stm)The 1967 Act did not legalise abortion as is often claimed but protected medical decisions where the physical or mental health of the mother was threatened. Two Doctors had to agree and there were conditions relating to early pregnancy, normally 12 weeks but possible up to 28 weeks, ( 28 weeks of gestation was when the foetus became 'viable'- that is likely to survive outside the womb-and legally a baby). Subsequently the date of 'viability' has been reduced to 24 weeks gestation and the Parliament voted to keep that date, claiming medical evidence did not support any reduction below 24 weeks.

As a Midwife I was relieved at the passing of the 1967 Abortion Act. I had seen the results of back street abortions-life threatening and maiming of women for life. But I am very unhappy about the way abortion is now on demand and many gynaecologists are making decisions about the life or death of the foetus (or whether they think a woman is morally suitable for fertility treatment). Viability is not the only criterion of relevance.

I would prefer legalised abortion brought down to 12 weeks ( the defeated Motion was for 20 weeks) It is much easier now to confirm pregnancy early and there is no social stigma attached to single parenthood as there was in the Sixties. (All our mothers then were 'Mrs')and many women would be glad to adopt--

The ones who need help are the young and vulnerable and those who have been abused..'