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General discussion

Controversial late term abortion in UK ...

Nov 20, 2003 2:08AM PST

... because fetus had cleft palate

Two things about this stuck out at me. Where to draw the line as to what constitutes a "serious handicap". Also, it seems that in the UK, there is a pretty clear cut limit on abortions after 24 weeks that seems to be more restrictive than ours. Will have to check if life and/or health of the mother are considerations.

Evie Happy

Discussion is locked

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Is there a doctor in the house?
Nov 20, 2003 5:53AM PST

I seem to recall someone arguing that no doctor would do this to a viable, late term 'fetus'. It was called unethical.

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Controversial? Maybe. Reprehensible? Absolutely
Nov 20, 2003 8:18AM PST

I'm not surprised that somebody wanted an abortion because her baby wasn't going to be 'perfect'. Couples have contemplated abortion as a means of gender selection. I'm sure other trivial reasons for abortion have been offered. Too many people think that the baby is just a blob until it's born. I am, however, appalled that she convinced a physician to perform the abortion, especially at a late stage of gestation.

It is absolutely inconceivable that anybody could classify a 'cleft palate' as a 'serious health condition' in that context.