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Wycombe MP votes for 12 week abortion limit
WYCOMBE MP Paul Goodman has called for the abortion limit to be lowered to 12 weeks.
The dad-of-one suggested the reduction during a late night free-vote in Parliament yesterday.
MPs were deciding on whether the limit for terminations should be cut from 24 to 22 weeks. But the move was defeated by 304 votes to 233.
Mr Goodman said he took a pro-life approach to the debate when he voted for a limit of twelve weeks.
"I of course appreciate that any curtailment of the present limit would undoubtedly have an effect on women, particularly vulnerable women, and their families," he said.
He added: "For this reason, I'd have liked Parliament to have considered this matter by means of a bill that was specifically abortion-related, which would in turn have allowed the Government to set out in detail how any reduction in the limit would be complemented by measures to help the women and families involved.
"Instead, abortion was considered this week in the context of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
"This was extremely unsatisfactory, because the debate on abortion-related amendments was time-limited, thus denying the Commons the opportunity to debate this matter in full, and preventing Ministers from setting out in detail what measures they will take, if any, in relation to the women and families concerned."
What do you think to the abortion debate? Should the limit be lowered? Add your comments below.
2:15pm Wednesday 21st May 2008
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CommentPosted by: CAS, HW on 2:52pm Wed 21 May 08
By lowering the limit to 12 weeks is absolutlely crazy - only a man could come up with that suggestion.
By lowering the limit to 12 weeks is absolutlely crazy - only a man could come up with that suggestion.
Posted by: SBJones, Wycombe on 4:02pm Wed 21 May 08
trust a man to make such a ridiculous statement, some of us dont even know we are pregnant for several months due to certain circumstances! how ignorant can an MP be exactly, he has one child so of course he thinks hes the font of all knowledge concerning women and their bodies, laughable if it wasnt so serious a subject...
trust a man to make such a ridiculous statement, some of us dont even know we are pregnant for several months due to certain circumstances! how ignorant can an MP be exactly, he has one child so of course he thinks hes the font of all knowledge concerning women and their bodies, laughable if it wasnt so serious a subject...
Posted by: sandman, on a beach on 4:44pm Wed 21 May 08
I would of thought it would be no one elses business but the pregnant woman. Everyone should keep there noses out! Only my opinion.
I would of thought it would be no one elses business but the pregnant woman. Everyone should keep there noses out! Only my opinion.
Posted by: sandman, on a beach on 4:44pm Wed 21 May 08
I would of thought it would be no one elses business but the pregnant woman. Everyone should keep there noses out! Only my opinion.
I would of thought it would be no one elses business but the pregnant woman. Everyone should keep there noses out! Only my opinion.
Posted by: sandman, on a beach on 4:45pm Wed 21 May 08
I would of thought that it is no one else's business but the pregnant woman. evryone else should be keep there own business. Only my opinion
I would of thought that it is no one else's business but the pregnant woman. evryone else should be keep there own business. Only my opinion
Posted by: littlemiss, Wycombe on 11:34am Thu 22 May 08
I think this row has come about because pro lifer's say that at 24 weeks babies can now survive if born prematurely due to the advances in modern medicine. Not all mind you, but some can.
I think that because this is the limit, it also means that babies prematurely born below this limit, say at 23 weeks, will be left to die because doctors legally don't have to do anything to help.
I think the limit should be dropped to 20 weeks at the minimum, 12 is far too low. Many women don't even find out they are pregnant until this stage, and they should have some time to decide. It isn't an easy choice for any woman and isn't the kind of decision you should have to make on the spot. Also at 12 weeks, how would you know if your baby was ill, going to have difficulties due to one reason or another? Surely you should have that choice?
What if at 18 weeks, your partner knocks you to within an inch of your life, or there is another complication and your relationship breaks down?
What about people that get raped and not only have to deal with that, but then find out they are pregnant to boot?
I think there should be TWO limits here, one set at when the medical bods think they can feasibly help a premature child, and one set at when a person can choose whether they wish to terminate or not.
A woman should have the right to CHOOSE if she wants to bring a child into this crazy messed up world. I can't stand some of the narrow minded arguments I've read where people say that terminations should be banned. We surely have enough unwanted screwed up people in this world!
I think this row has come about because pro lifer's say that at 24 weeks babies can now survive if born prematurely due to the advances in modern medicine. Not all mind you, but some can.
I think that because this is the limit, it also means that babies prematurely born below this limit, say at 23 weeks, will be left to die because doctors legally don't have to do anything to help.
I think the limit should be dropped to 20 weeks at the minimum, 12 is far too low. Many women don't even find out they are pregnant until this stage, and they should have some time to decide. It isn't an easy choice for any woman and isn't the kind of decision you should have to make on the spot. Also at 12 weeks, how would you know if your baby was ill, going to have difficulties due to one reason or another? Surely you should have that choice?
What if at 18 weeks, your partner knocks you to within an inch of your life, or there is another complication and your relationship breaks down?
What about people that get raped and not only have to deal with that, but then find out they are pregnant to boot?
I think there should be TWO limits here, one set at when the medical bods think they can feasibly help a premature child, and one set at when a person can choose whether they wish to terminate or not.
A woman should have the right to CHOOSE if she wants to bring a child into this crazy messed up world. I can't stand some of the narrow minded arguments I've read where people say that terminations should be banned. We surely have enough unwanted screwed up people in this world!
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