- The Daily Telegraph article
-
Nadine Dorries on Radio 4's Today Programme (31/10/07)
Windows Media
Real Media
- Abortion: 40 years on
- Abortion apologetic
A deep rift has emerged within the Science and Technology Committee on abortion, as one member describes its findings as "biased" and "laughable".
In a rare move, dissenting MPs have challenged its conclusions by producing their own findings in what is known as a 'minority report'.
The Committee's official report calls for measures to make abortion easier. It recommends removing the need for a second doctor's signature and allowing women to take drugs at home to complete a medical abortion. The report also claims there is no significant evidence to support a reduction in the 24-week limit for abortions.
But the minority report produced by two of the MPs on the Committee contradicts these conclusions. Mrs Nadine Dorries MP, a former nurse, and Bob Spink MP have argued that the inquiry was biased. They say of the 18 witnesses called to give evidence, only five were 'pro-life'.
They also accuse the Committee of overlooking important evidence on foetal pain and viability (the capacity to live outside the womb).
Dr Spink writes in The Daily Telegraph : "It is simply laughable to compare the viability of aborted babies, who would almost all otherwise be born healthy, with babies who are sadly pre-term, usually indicating predisposing medical problems for baby or mother. But that is what the report does."
