Printed from: https://archive.cmf.org.uk/advocacy/pressrelease/?id=27
Published: 8th July 2004
The Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) has today welcomed Tony Blair’s comments that the Government is to consider a review of the law on abortion to take account of significant ‘scientific change’.
Peter Saunders, General Secretary of CMF, said, “The Prime Minister’s comments are extremely encouraging but it is essential that the Government’s stated intention to bring the issue before parliament within the next year, is not just rhetoric but is backed up by solid actions.
“Public concern is growing following recent reports in the media of babies being born alive following abortion procedures and images of a 12 week old foetus walking, kicking stretching in the womb. In 2002, 22,119 babies aged 13 weeks or over were aborted in England and Wales, largely for social reasons and it has long been known that babies move considerably earlier than this. However these facts seem to have escaped government attention until now.
“There are currently huge inconsistencies in the abortion law whereby babies of the same age and with identical chances of survival can be aborted if inside the womb, but receive full neonatal care if outside it. The Government must urgently address this ambiguity.”
“But all this raises the much deeper question of whether only foetuses who kick, walk and stretch are deserving of legal protection. The current law simply discriminates against some human beings purely on the basis of age or neurological function. The real question is whether a democratic society should tolerate such legislation at all.”
Steven Fouch (CMF Head of Communications) 020 7234 9668
Alistair Thompson on 07970 162 225
Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) was founded in 1949 and is an interdenominational organisation with over 5,000 doctors, 900medical and nursing students and 300 nurses and midwives as members in all branches of medicine, nursing and midwifery. A registered charity, it is linked to over 100 similar bodies in other countries throughout the world.
CMF exists to unite Christian healthcare professionals to pursue the highest ethical standards in Christian and professional life and to increase faith in Christ and acceptance of his ethical teaching.
