three issues in the UK abortion debate
For the sake of clarity, there are a few issues at stake here that should be separated out:
1. The evidence for reducing the week limit for abortion is far from compelling; if anything, the most recent research demonstrates that advance in neonatal care have only impacted on premature births after 24 weeks (i.e. the existing limit.) A convincing case for further restrictions has not been made.
2. Nadine Dorries has been incredibly dishonest in her attempt to campaign for a reduction in the week limit. She has smeared opponents, distorted evidence and occasionally outright lied. Whatever else, she cannot be treated as a honest participant in this debate.
3. The demand for a reduction in the week limit to 20 is often not being made in good faith: those pushing most fervently for a reduction have admitted, quite openly, that their interest in 20 weeks is only a stepping-stone to further restriction.
As such, their piecemeal interest in medical science should be viewed with extreme caution - it is only a prop to support (and in part conceal) a more stringent rejection of nearly all abortion. MPs who openly support the reduction on the grounds that they oppose all abortion are in the extreme minority.
1. The evidence for reducing the week limit for abortion is far from compelling; if anything, the most recent research demonstrates that advance in neonatal care have only impacted on premature births after 24 weeks (i.e. the existing limit.) A convincing case for further restrictions has not been made.
2. Nadine Dorries has been incredibly dishonest in her attempt to campaign for a reduction in the week limit. She has smeared opponents, distorted evidence and occasionally outright lied. Whatever else, she cannot be treated as a honest participant in this debate.
3. The demand for a reduction in the week limit to 20 is often not being made in good faith: those pushing most fervently for a reduction have admitted, quite openly, that their interest in 20 weeks is only a stepping-stone to further restriction.
As such, their piecemeal interest in medical science should be viewed with extreme caution - it is only a prop to support (and in part conceal) a more stringent rejection of nearly all abortion. MPs who openly support the reduction on the grounds that they oppose all abortion are in the extreme minority.
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