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31/10/2007
MPs Disagree On Easier Abortions
While some members of a powerful Government committee want it made easier for women to gain access to abortions, some of the MPs' collegues disagree.
A spokesman for the Science and Technology Committee said that there was no scientific justification for lowering the current 24-week limit for having an abortion.
The committee's report also recommended removing the current requirement for two doctors to sign forms before an abortion could be carrying out. It also said that nurses and midwives who were suitably trained should be able to carry out all stages of early medical abortions involving the use of drugs and early surgical abortions and added that there was no reason why woman should not be able to take the second stage of an early medical abortion at home.
Committee chairman Phil Willis said: "Abortion is a complex issue. Legislative decisions are informed by ethical, moral, religious and political views, case law, and scientific and medical evidence. We have focused on the science and have done so rigorously."
However, not all the committee members agreed on the report's findings. Conservative MPs Nadine Dorries and Dr Bob Spink have called for abortion laws to be tightened, while Labour MP Jim Dobbin said that the committee had rejected key findings, which were crucial to the debate.
(KMcA)
A spokesman for the Science and Technology Committee said that there was no scientific justification for lowering the current 24-week limit for having an abortion.
The committee's report also recommended removing the current requirement for two doctors to sign forms before an abortion could be carrying out. It also said that nurses and midwives who were suitably trained should be able to carry out all stages of early medical abortions involving the use of drugs and early surgical abortions and added that there was no reason why woman should not be able to take the second stage of an early medical abortion at home.
Committee chairman Phil Willis said: "Abortion is a complex issue. Legislative decisions are informed by ethical, moral, religious and political views, case law, and scientific and medical evidence. We have focused on the science and have done so rigorously."
However, not all the committee members agreed on the report's findings. Conservative MPs Nadine Dorries and Dr Bob Spink have called for abortion laws to be tightened, while Labour MP Jim Dobbin said that the committee had rejected key findings, which were crucial to the debate.
(KMcA)
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21 May 2008
MPs Dismiss Abortion Time Limit Changes
Proposed changes to abortion law have been dismissed by MP's last night. The time limit for abortions will remain at 24 weeks despite arguments for it to be cut to 22, 20, 16 or 12 weeks. The 304 to 233 free vote was the culmination of two days of emotive and heated exchanges on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
MPs Dismiss Abortion Time Limit Changes
Proposed changes to abortion law have been dismissed by MP's last night. The time limit for abortions will remain at 24 weeks despite arguments for it to be cut to 22, 20, 16 or 12 weeks. The 304 to 233 free vote was the culmination of two days of emotive and heated exchanges on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
