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Westminster prepares for showdown over abortion time limits



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Published Date: 20 May 2008
MPs were squaring up today for a Commons showdown over the abortion laws as a sustained attempt is mounted to cut the time limit for the first time in 18 years.
A series of amendments will give MPs the chance to vote for a reduction in the current 24-week limit to between 22 and 12 weeks.

Supporters of the existing law last night signalled their determination to fight the attempted changes, with 86 MPs si
gning a cross-party motion stating the current limit was "scientifically and ethically justified".

Signatories included former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, former Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett and former Health Secretary Frank Dobson.

However members of the all-party parliamentary pro-life group said they believed that they could bring down the limit to at least 20 weeks.

The "pro-lifers" suffered a setback last night when a series of amendments tabled to the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Bill were defeated in the Commons.

An attempt to ban the creation of hybrid human-animal embryos for stem cell research was defeated by 336 to 176, and a bid to outlaw so-called "saviour siblings" was defeated by 342 to 163.

However, with MPs from all parties again being given a free vote, many believe that tonight's divisions on the time limit for abortions could be far tighter.





The full article contains 231 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 20 May 2008 9:46 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Abortion
 
1

Listening,

20/05/2008 12:53:24
This is a joke.

It may be correct that medical progress means that a child can be born and survive at an earlier stage of development. But what about the child. Would you really thank a system that forces, by law, your birth later in life when you have many health issues?

It is a fact that premature babies have development problems. They have more, in numbers and severity, health issues later in life.

Instead of reducing the limit it could be argued to increase the limit.

It is incredibly selfish of any government or individual to insist that a child be born into a life of pain, heartache, illness etc etc etc.
2

Peedie Paws,

Edinburgh 20/05/2008 14:14:22
Abortion should be available from 1 week right up to birth. Why should a group of people decide what we can and cannot do regarding terminating a pregnancy? It should be the woman's decision when to terminate and no one should interfere or say otherwise. If you bring the weeks down to 12, you'll get women going to any lengths to get rid of their unwanted babies and this could lead to all kinds of trouble.
3

Em,

20/05/2008 14:34:33
#1

You're right, your statement is a joke!

To remove the option of abortion at 24 weeks does not mean that the baby who would have been aborted will automatically be born premature can you not see your comment makes no sense.

The issue of premature babies survivng at ages when others of the same age are aborted is used to highlight that life is sustainable at this stage.

#2

I don't know if you're kidding, if not, why stop at birth, why not allow women ample time to decide if they want to kill their baby after they have given birth, what's the difference between the baby just before it is born and just after.
Perhaps you should watch a partial birth abortion in action and then tell me if your opinion is still the same.

4

Peedie Paws,

Edinburgh 20/05/2008 14:42:51
#3 - been there, done that! No matter what stage the pregnancy is at, if a woman decides not to have the baby then she has the right to have a termination. Ok, right up to birth was a bit too far I admit, cos they could always have it and put it up for adoption. What I am saying is that circumstances change and 12 weeks isn't really a long time to make your mind up as to whether you want to keep it or not. A baby is a massive responsibility, a drain financially too. You can't change your mind after having it and put it back where it came from!
5

Em,

20/05/2008 14:52:18
#4
I disagree, I think 12 weeks is more than enough time for a decision to be made.

6

Peedie Paws,

Edinburgh 20/05/2008 15:04:47
#5 fair enough. There will always be those who think 12 weeks is plenty time and those who need longer. I just hope that those who find themselves in such a situation, reach a decision which is best for them.
7

Listening,

20/05/2008 17:14:43
The whole plan is a joke.

Too many people have religious influences when considering this subject and the rest are fed bullsh** from health and government and they believe anything.

The needs of the mother and child are NOT considered by many of them but they must remain paramount. No government should ever have the right to make this sort of decision.

Less than 1% of terminations happen at 20 weeks or more and more than 60% of the remainder are done for health reasons. The total number we are talking about is very small. Health reasons will always overrule this legislation.

There is no point in this being changed unless it is upwards.
8

Charles Linskaill,

Edinburgh 20/05/2008 19:10:55

Well said ~3!

Let Mum decide after the birth if she still wants the baby, if not just let Her/Him die.

Its now a proven fact Baby can feel pain at 24weeks.

Baby has developed at about 12weeks, then its grow,..grow,..grow!

Mum gets used to and feels Baby kicking and moving around at about 18-20weeks.
9

Charles Linskaill,

Edinburgh 20/05/2008 19:13:52
12weeks,
Your baby is now fully formed but needs the next six months to fully mature. Your baby is roughly the size of a plum and is starting to move his or her fingers. You still cannot feel your baby moving because she is so tiny. Your baby's eyes are completely formed and now move round to the front of the face. The bones are growing, although they are still soft cartilage at this stage. The placenta now takes over as your baby's life-support system. It will filter oxygen and nutrients into the foetus from the mother's bloodstream via the umbilical cord.

18weeks,
Your baby can pull complex facial expressions such as yawn and pull faces and can even frown. Your baby's bones are forming rapidly, adults have around 212 bones but foetuses have more as they fuse together later in life. Your baby will be able to grasp his or her hands, touch the cord, and suck his or her fingers and thumb. Fingers, arms and legs can all be flexed.

21weeks,
Your baby now weighs half the weight of a tin of beans. Talk to your baby, as he or she will hear your muffled voice. Your baby can swallow amniotic fluids, some experts believe this gives the growing baby some essential nutrients. Your baby is steadily gaining fat in order to keep warm.

24weeks,
At 24 weeks your baby becomes legally viable and if your baby was born now she would have a reasonable chance of survival outside your womb in an intensive care unit.

Your baby will now be able to kick and may well have a sleep and wake cycle you can notice. She may get hiccups brought on by her primitive chest movements, which she makes to practice her breathing techniques. Your baby will now measure more than the width of a magazine.
10

Charles Linskaill,

Edinburgh 20/05/2008 22:20:35
.

 

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