the right to choose.
key question of viability?
The debate about viahility is not one that merely divides pro and anti-choice puigners, it is a major issue amongst abortion righis campilgners Advances in medical science have spurred the discussion despite the fact WELCH before 28 weeks a foetus' lungs are not developed and the brain does not function, a foetus can be kept alive outside the mother's womb at an carlier and carher stage. IN THE USA in 1974, Dr Kenneth Edelin was convicted of manslaughter for performing an abortion on a 24 week foetus. Ever since 1975, when American women won the right to abortion choice up to six months, anti-abortionists have used the viability argument as the main way to attack the law.
The last decision of Labour Health Minister David Ennals was to order an inquest on a foetus which was aborted after a 23 week pregnancy. The order opens up the door to new legal restrictions being placed on What should pro-choice campaigners argue on this This means that if abortion laws ure made droendent on cam- viability eventually there would be a han on abortion from the carliest weeks conception.
This is the importance of the issue to pro and anti choice that campaigners alike. It is not because of the number of late abortions carried out.
At present 80 per cent of NHS abortions within the first 12 woeks of conception, when the foetus is a of tiny blob of tissue no bigger than a bean. adequate provision and easier access to there would be no doubt that the figure would be higher. take place Given the medical complications in late abortions, women If there were abortion facilities to choose for herself.
After the second Conference of the lives for us.
use them Many women's Ennal's cannot take the decision to undergo a late abortion lightly strengthen The medical procedure should be explained fully with all the on potential hazards, but after this and a woman should have the right SNOND DY National SPUC National don Campaign