Dear all,
You may have heard of the campaign recently called "20 reasons for 20 weeks" by MP Nadine Dorries. Presently under UK law abortions can be done up to 24 weeks. This is a campaign to reduce that to 20 weeks. Mrs Dorries says that the 550 abortions per day now being performed in the UK is "just too many. We must slow down on abortion" (Daily Mail, Tuesday, 6 May, p6). Mrs. Dorries continues, "I respect a woman's right to choose. But we are clost to being the abortion capital of the world and it is now time to adopt a more moderate, comonsense approach to abortion. (Ibid)". In another article in the DAily Mail she states, "They say our termination rate is already higher than any other western European country" (read full article). The followingpicture of a 20-week fetus is being used by the campaigners to raise awareness:
Here are the 20 reasons being put forth by Mrs Dorries and the 200 other MPs who have pledged to vote with her:
Why the campaigners led by Tory MP Nadine Dorries say the abortion limit should be cut:
1. Two thirds of GPs and two thirds of public - including three quarters of women - support reduction in upper age limit, say polls
2. More babies surviving well below 24 weeks, including world’s most premature baby Amillia Taylor, born at 21 weeks in 2006
3. High-resolution 3D ultrasound images showing babies ‘walking’, yawning, stretching and sucking thumbs in the womb
4. Two thirds of babies born at 23 weeks survive in top neonatal units
5. Foetuses can feel pain as low as 18 weeks, research suggests
6. Mothers first feel their babies kick at 19 weeks in a first pregnancy and at 17 weeks in a later pregnancy
7. More babies being born alive after botched abortions - some as young as 16 weeks
8. Rising number of abortions being carried out between 20 and 24 weeks
9. Leading public figures such as Tory leader David Cameron calling for a cut to at least 20 weeks
10. Britain’s abortion laws among the most liberal in Europe: The 24-week limit is double that in France or Germany, and six weeks later than in Sweden or Norway
11.’Abhorrent’ methods used to abort a post 20-week baby, including a lethal injection to the heart, and dismembering the body and removing it from the womb limb by limb
12. A possible link with mental illness for late abortions, say psychiatrists
13. Most late abortions take place in private clinics, charged to the NHS - meaning there are financial vested interests involved
14. Babies can now undergo surgery in the womb under 24 weeks, such as Samuel Armas who had surgery at 21 weeks for spina bifida
15. Few UK graduates willing to perform abortions beyond 16 weeks and most who do so are from overseas
16. Guidelines from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, supporting 24 weeks, should be updated in line with latest evidence on neonatal survival
17. 1,000 doctors signed petition against the British Medical Association’s support for 24 weeks and the Royal College of Nursing has not consulted its members
18. Pregnancy testing kits are freely available at chemists, so there is little excuse for not diagnosing pregnancy before 24 weeks.
19. The Commons science and technology committee was heavily influenced by pro-abortion witnesses
20. Picture of a 20-week foetus (Above)
Daily mail
What do you think (pleaes vote and write in as well)?
Do you think the upper limit of 24 weeks for abortions should be reduced to 20 weeks?
No, it should stay as it is - 24 weeks (0%)
yes, it should be reduced to 20 weeks (100%)
I'm not sure (0%)