What are your feelings on the Abortion rate staying at 24 weeks in the UK?

Question

I personally, think it's awful. If I were pregnant and didn't want the child I would get rid of it as soon as possible, not leave it so long that you could actually see the child KICKING inside. I'm for abortion as there are many situations where there is no other choice i.e. rape, sexual abuse etc. but I think leaving it at 24 weeks is awful, and the way the child is left to die is heartbreaking. What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

People who allow this are sick puppies and what goes around comes around: I'd hate to have their Karma.

Answer 2

Abortion beyond 20-22 weeks is excedingly rare and only performed in the most desperate cases.  It is not an option that is going to be available to any idiot who's got themselves pregnant by mistake.

I see no problem with allowing abortion at up to 24 weeks in those very rare cases where it is necessary.

Answer 3

I'm completely pro-choice and I never had a problem with this law until I watched the House of Commons debate on BBC Parliament on Tuesday night (20.05.08). I never realised that the situation at 24 weeks required the baby to be, effectively, killed in order to carry out the abortion.

After learning this, I think that the upper limit for social abortions ought to have been reduced. Although it should be recognised that hardly any abortions are carried out at this stage.

What do you think about the fact that it is legal to have an abortion right up until the baby is carried to term if the life of the mother is at risk or the baby is ill or will be born with serious physical/mental defects?

I'm in the process of questioning my entire belief system at the moment. Moreover, as a postgraduate law student, I need to research a legal topic for my final dissertation and I think the debate on Tuesday night has provided me with it.

Answer 4

Small Clanger has it right once again. In any case I don't think anyone has the right to  make a decision like this, or even comment on it, other than the woman herself and possibly her doctor. It is a totally personal and private matter and politicians (nearly all male of course) have no right to interfere.