21 June 2007

UK: Parliamentary Inquiry into abortion

The Science and Technology Committee has agreed to conduct an inquiry into scientific developments relating to the Abortion Act 1967.

The inquiry will focus on:

1) The scientific and medical evidence relating to the 24-week upper time limit on most legal abortions, including:

(a) developments, both in the UK and internationally since 1990, in medical interventions and examination techniques that may inform definitions of fetal viability; and

(b) whether a scientific or medical definition of serious abnormality is required or desirable in respect of abortion allowed beyond 24 weeks;

2) Medical, scientific and social research relevant to the impact of suggested law reforms to first trimester abortions, such as:

(a) the relative risks of early abortion versus pregnancy and delivery;

(b) the role played by the requirement for two doctors’ signatures; and

(c) the practicalities and safety of allowing nurses or midwives to carry out abortions or of allowing the second stage of early medical abortions to be carried out at the patient’s home; and

3) Evidence of long-term or acute adverse health outcomes from abortion or from the restriction of access to abortion.

The Committee will not be looking at the ethical or moral issues associated with abortion time limits.

The Committee is calling for written evidence from interested organisations and individuals addressing these points by Monday 2 September 2007. Oral evidence sessions will commence in Autumn 2007.

Responding to the announcement, Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of BPAS, said:

‘This new Parliamentary Inquiry is a fantastic opportunity to inform policy makers about the safety of modern abortion techniques and the important place that this procedure has in women’s lives.

‘Abortion remains a controversial issue for Parliamentarians and it will be very helpful to have an in-depth Inquiry informed by proper medical, scientific and social science research evidence.’

The members of the Science and Technology Committee are:

Mr Phil Willis (Lib Dem, Harrogate and Knaresborough)(Chairman)
Adam Afriyie (Con, Windsor)
Mr Robert Flello (Lab, Stoke-on-Trent South)
Linda Gilroy (Lab/Co-op, Plymouth Sutton)
Dr Evan Harris (Lib Dem, Oxford West & Abingdon)
Dr Brian Iddon (Lab, Bolton South East)
Chris Mole (Lab, Ipswich)
Mr Brooks Newmark (Con, Braintree)
Graham Stringer (Lab, Manchester, Blackley)
Bob Spink (Con, Castle Point)
Dr Desmond Turner (Lab, Brighton Kemptown)

NEW INQUIRY: SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENTS RELATING TO THE ABORTION ACT 1967. Select Committee on Science and Technology, No. 45 of Session 2006-07 20 June 2007