Wednesday 30 April 2008

Abortion limit under attack



Some MPs are planning to use the upcoming government Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill to attack abortion rights for woman, particularly cutting down the time in which a woman can have a termination. Supported by Pro-life campaigners and religious groups, they argue that better technology has ensured ‘babies’ are now able to live before the 24 week limit. However all of the major medical boards, including the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists plus the governments own cross-party parliamentary Science and Technology Committee state that there has been no significant improvement in foetal survival below 24 weeks since the law was last reviewed in 1990.

Pro-choice campaigners like Abortion Rights maintain that as well as there being no evidence for a change, women will undoubtedly suffer from a smaller time limit. They argue that a tiny proportion – less that 2%, of abortions take place after 20 weeks. The overwhelming majority, 89%, are carried out at less than 13 weeks. The 2% of abortions that take place after 20 weeks are not taken lightly, often due to complicated and different circumstances including:
● Late identification of pregnancy – some young people do not realise they are pregnant early on, due to lack of sex education and an ignorance of their menstrual cycles. Older women may believe they are experiencing the menopause.
● Change in personal circumstances – a wanted pregnancy may be impossible due to domestic violence, loss of partner or problems with existing children.
● Denial in pregnancy signs – Some women may be in denial. These are often young women, with poor mental health or who have conceived in traumatic circumstances like rape.
● Delays in service provision – Some NHS abortion services have long waiting lists, 2 and a half months in certain areas. Others are obstructed by Doctors unwilling to provide an abortion or misdiagnosed.

A women’s right to choose on abortion in supported by an overwhelming three-quartes of people in Britain. Abortion Rights say that women should be listened to on whether or not to continue with a pregnancy and should be allowed to make fundamental decisions on their own body. If you support a woman’s right to choose, write to your MP and visit http://www.abortionrights.org.uk/

No comments: