Letter: End hypocrisy of abortion rules

Dr Stuart J. Dove
Monday 06 January 1997 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: The abortion law is out of date. We GPs have to go through the hypocritical process, along with a second doctor, of signing a document stating that the abortion is necessary for at least one of four well-defined criteria. In reality we are just agreeing to abortion on demand for any reason at all, usually because the woman doesn't want to be pregnant.

Would it not be honest and logical to dispense with this rather phoney legislation, or at least draft something more relevant to current practice? I am not sure that abortion on demand is right but if it is what society wants, then let's be open and honest about it.

Dr STUART J DOVE

Ashford, Kent

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in