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Women able to abort without two doctors' consent

Foetus Rex Features

Women will be able to have an abortion without the need for the signature of two doctors in an overhaul of abortion laws.

The shadow health secretary, Andrew Lansley, told MPs this week that he aimed to make it easier for women to have earlier abortions and lower the time limit for late terminations.

The government denoted it would not contest the move, indicating it will almost certainly be passed. The Commons will vote on the abortion laws next week, for the first time in almost two decades. Pro-life MPs will attempt to cut the limit from 24 weeks to 22 weeks or less.

This is just one of a number of controversial votes on next week's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which includes plans to permit the creation of hybrid and human embryos.

Mr Langley told MPs:'If a woman needs an abortion…then it must be better for that to be an early and medical abortion, rather than later and surgical.

'Therefore, the House should consider whether the request for two doctors to provide approval, and the restriction on a nurse providing a medical abortion require to be maintained.'

Ann Furedi, of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, a charity which provides help with contraception and abortion, added: 'We completely agree that it is ludicrously anachronistic that two doctors should have to certify that a woman meets the legal grounds for abortion.'

Tuesday 13 May 2008


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Aborting at 5 months is an absolute crime, babies are born, and survive, at 22 weeks - if at that stage you do not want to keep your child then adoption should be considered. Abortion should no longer be an option.
Comment by grace on May 14 10:44

I had an abortion at 10 weeks and although It's better to have one sooner rather than later if I'd had more time to think about it I wouldn't have gone thru with it and I still deeply regret it.
Comment by M on May 14 09:39

I am Pro-Choice! 22 weeks in my calculations is 5 months & not acceptable to abort just because it is convenient or allowed as stated above! By no later than missing 2 periods, YOU KNOW by now that your body is changing & this is the time to abort.
Not discounting RAPE or INCEST in which special considerations need to be taken.
In 1971 when became pregnant at 15, I was stupid & not knowing, this is 2008 and all the information is out there

Comment by djean on May 14 02:43

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