1. Abortion – arguments for
Tania Rahman

2. History of abortion 1803 The Ellenborough Act
1861 The Offences Against the Person Act
1929 Infant Life Preservation Act
1936 The Abortion Law Reform Association
1967 The Abortion Act
The first reference to abortion in English law appeared in the 13th century.
The law followed church teaching that abortion was acceptable until ‘quickening’ - when foetal movements first felt weeks, as it was thought that this was when the soul entered the foetus.
The legal situation remained like this for centuries.
In 1803 The EA was made which said that abortion after quickening carried the death penalty.
1837 – the distinction between abortion before and after quickening was removed.
OAPA – life imprisonment for performing or attempting abortion even when performed for medical reasons
ILPA – amended this and stated that a viable foetus (thought to be from 28 weeks onwards) could be aborted if the mother’s life was at risk
(was not clear if this was acceptable in a non-viable foetus)
1930s – women groups and MPs became concerned about the great loss of life and damage to health resulting from unsafe abortion
ALRA – aim was to campaign for the legalisation of abortion
1938 Dr Alex Bourne acquitted for performing illegal abortion in 14 year old gang raped suicidal girl where it was agreed this was a life threatening situation. Some women could get safe abortion after this but it was still uncertain as needed psych approval. –educated/wealthy women who could do this.
1950s support for ALRA and reform grew
1967 – abortion legalised under certain conditions
1975 The National Abortion Campaign established to protect the 1967 Act as there were a number of attacks on the Act from womens groups and other pro choice groups
1990 legal time limit reduced from 28 to 24 weeks

3. Autonomy Woman’s right to decide Freedom of choice
Financial/emotional burden
Forcing the ‘unwilling to bear the unwanted’
Broader contribution to society than childbearing
Respect for the individual and their ability to make decisions with regard to their own health and future, pt has right to choose or refuse
Woman as a person – disruption of life, education, work, family, body
Delay or end childbearing. Interrupt education/work. Financial or relationship instability
Abortion preferable to an unwanted child
Gender equality – forced to have child, support child, men cant have children so women’s freedom and life choices are limited
Made to feel guilty but conflict is endured in making this decision

4. Beneficence
Best interests of the mother impact on life and mental state
Best interests of the child quality of life risk of being unloved/abuse/neglect/
Best interests of society financial burden healthcare resources
Actions intended to benefit the patient, best interests
Abortion Act – abortion is acceptable to save the mother’s life or to prevent grave permanent injury to physical/mental health
Rape, incest – rather than forcing a mother to endure the birth of her rapist’s child which could very well detrimental to her and the child eventually (unloved, unwanted, resented, neglected)
Access to legal abortion is essential to the physical and mental health of women – banning it puts women in danger
Prevent ‘backstreet’ abortions with high number of complications and deaths
20 out of the 46 million abortions performed worldwide are thought to be ‘illegal’ abortions

5. Non-maleficence Improving lives of others rather than adding burden
No specified time limit most abortions are early
Abortion preferable choice to unwanted child -does not lead to increased mental health problems
Can the foetus feel pain?
Actions intended not to harm patient or others
American Psychological Association concluded that induced abortion did not lead to increased mental health problems. Severe negative reactions after abortion are rare, and a higher percentage of women will suffer with postnatal depression
Effect on mental health is inconclusive
Foetus is not a distinct human being as it is totally dependent on the mother
When does it feel pain – not until 7th month – may be impossible to know
Abortion at late gestations ?? Most people who accept abortion are ok with it in early stages but are less sure in later stages especially if it is ‘viable’, most are done for health reasons
Some seek help very late (rape/ashamed/dont know)

6. Justice Does a foetus have rights? If so, when?
Is the foetus a person?
Effect on society
Unwanted children
Not discriminating against the disabled
Planned parenthood abortion the ‘responsible choice’
Being fair or just to the wider community in terms of the consequences of an action
Distribution of scarce health resources
When does life begin - uncertainty
Foetus is innocent and biologically human it is not a person with a right to life
Personhood at conception is a religious belief not a provable biological fact
Markers of personhood – consciousness (at least ability to feel pain), self-awareness, reasoning, ability to communicate – do not need all of these to qualify as a person – foetus only satisfies consciousness
Crime, deprivation, large families unemployed on benefits etc etc
If there was a choice nobody would willingly choose it for themselves. - give up your whole life – job, relationships under strain, total commitment required.
Not anti-disability – not discriminating against disabled people or the value of their life – it is just women saying what they feel they will be able to cope with & what they want
– that children should be wanted, parents should be able to support them & be willing to make sacrifices for them (not be forced to) –