Abortion law
Tuesday, 23 Oct 2007 12:31
At present two doctors need to give their permission for abortion
Forty years after abortion was legalised in Britain campaigners on both sides of the fence are calling for it to be changed.
An inquiry into the 1967 Abortion Act is being carried out by parliament's science and technology committee to assess the law in the light of scientific developments in the past four decades.
Under consideration is the 24-week upper limit on abortions and whether or not it should be lowered.
MPs are also hearing evidence about the role played by the requirements for two doctors to approve an abortion and whether it could be practical and safe for nurses or midwives to carry out abortions.
Ethical and moral considerations are not being considered by the committee. Doctors groups, campaigners and scientists giving evidence include the Royal College of Nurses, British Medical Association, Marie Stopes, Abortion Rights and the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.
InTheNews.co.uk brings you all the key responses and comment on the issue throughout the day.
