Displaying items by tag: decriminalising abortion

Many people took the time to write to their MP to oppose an amendment that would completely decriminalise abortion in the UK and support pro-life amendments to the Health and Care Bill. The amendment to decriminalise abortion was withdrawn before it could even go to a vote, and there was strong support for the amendments even though they were withdrawn. Also the second reading of the Down’s Syndrome Bill was approved in the House of Commons, meaning that people with Down’s syndrome would be recognised as a minority group of people. This would ensure that they are not neglected and their abilities are recognised.

The senior council of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has voted for the decriminalisation of abortion, despite protests that there should have been a members’ ballot on this. Decriminalising abortion would remove moral standards for abortion practice from national legislation, trivialise legitimate moral concerns, and portray abortion as morally neutral. It would no longer be possible to ban dangerous DIY and sex-discriminating abortions. There might be regulations, but without legislation what makes those regulations anywhere close to enforceable? If abortion is viewed merely as a form of contraception, that would promote sexual irresponsibility. Additionally, decriminalisation could see some doctors come under fire for refusing to carry out abortions, which would be a further injustice. It also would run contrary to the Hippocratic Oath, taken by all those entering the medical profession.