Abortion
An abortion is the termination of pregnancy and is legal in England and Wales under strict conditions. For Christians, human life is sacred and a gift from God which is to be respected and protected.
What is an abortion?
An abortion is the medical process of ending a pregnancy so it doesn't result in the birth of a baby.
What does the law say about abortion?
The Abortion Act 1967, as amended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, allows termination of a pregnancy by a registered medical practitioner, subject to certain conditions. This applies to England, Scotland and Wales.
Under the Act an abortion must be carried out in a hospital or specially licensed clinic. Before a legally induced abortion can take place, two doctors must agree that:
- the woman is less than 24 weeks pregnant, and
- it is necessary to prevent grave damage to the woman's physical or mental health, or any of her existing children
Abortion is always legal, even after 24 weeks, if:
- there is a serious threat to the woman's health or life, or
- there is substantial risk that the child will be born with physical or mental abnormalities and be seriously disabled
In cases of medical emergency, a second doctor's agreement does not need to be sought.
The law outlined above does not apply to Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.