Abortion: Slow Down - the 20 week campaign

Nadine Dorries MP will propose an amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill currently before Parliament to lower the upper limit to 20 weeks. This is likely to take place on 19-20 May.

Does the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill actually cover abortion?

There is nothing explicitly about abortion in the HFE Bill but it does nonetheless open up the Abortion Act 1967 for amendment. The abortion law was changed with the last HFE Act in 1990 when the upper limit was lowered from 28 to 24 weeks.

Why are you seeking to lower the upper limit further?

We are seeking a further lowering of the 24 week upper limit in the light of our growing knowledge about babies at 20 weeks. Our reasons are laid out in full on this website – "20 reasons for 20 weeks".

Is this campaign aiming to change the current abortion law in any other way?

No, but other MPs are expected to propose other amendments to the abortion law.

Will Nadine Dorries’ amendment affect the law on abortion for disability?

No. Since 1990 the law has allowed disabled babies to be aborted up until the moment of birth (40 weeks). Before then the limit was the same as for normal babies - 28 weeks. Nadine Dorries’ amendment applies only to babies who are not disabled.

How many babies are aborted after 20 weeks?

There were 2,948 abortions carried out at 20 weeks or above in England and Wales in 2006. This is the last year for which we have official statistics.

How many of these 2,948 abortions involved disabled babies?

In England and Wales there were 703 disabled babies (about 25%) aborted at 20 weeks or above in 2006. 136 of these abortions were carried out at 24 weeks or above.

Where can I check these statistics for myself?

The 2006 abortion statistics, the latest year available, are available on the Department of Health website.

What about Scotland?

There were 48 abortions at 20 weeks or above in Scotland in 2006. On the basis of England and Wales figures we expect that about 12 of these babies (25%) were disabled and 36 were able-bodied.

How many babies will be saved if the 20 weeks amendment is passed?

In 2006 about 2,280 normal babies were aborted between 20 and 24 weeks and so would have been saved by this amendment.

Why are you not including disabled babies in this amendment?

Many MPs (including the leaders of both main parties) support abortion up until the moment of birth for disabled babies and so will oppose any lowering of the 24 week limit if disabled babies are included. By doing it this way we can save almost 2,300 babies a year.

Will there be an attempt to lower the upper limit of birth for disabled babies?

Yes. Other MPs will almost certainly propose amendments to do this but it is not part of this campaign which focuses solely on the 24 week limit for able-bodied babies.

Will there be an attempt to lower the upper limit below 20 weeks for normal babies?

Yes. Other MPs will almost certainly propose amendments to lower the upper limit to bewteen 12 and 18 weeks, but this campaign is focusing on 20 weeks.

How can I find out how my own MP is expected to vote?

Check the database of MPs views on the Alive and Kicking website at http://www.aliveandkickingcampaign.org/mp/searchmp.php. If your MP's views are not known then write to them at www.writetothem.com and ask, or even better, send then a postcard from this site

Has there been any improvement in the survival of babies under 24 weeks?

It depends on how which centres we consider. The Epicure 2 study which averages all centres in the UK has not shown an improvement, but in top neonatal units like University College London and Minneapolis there has been substantial improvement.

How can we be sure whether babies under 24 weeks can feel pain?

We can never be certain of this because babies cannot tell us. But many researchers believe they are sufficiently developed to do so at least down to 20 weeks and we believe that these babies should be given the benefit of any doubt.

Is the 20 week campaign politically motivated?

No. MPs from all parties and people of all political persuasions support the campaign. Abortion is a conscience issue and votes on abortion will not be whipped by any party.

Is this a religious campaign?

No. There are people of all faiths and of no faith who support this campaign.

Do you have to oppose all abortion to support this campaign?

No. Supporters of the campaign have widely varying views on early abortion and on abortion for disability. The campaign focuses solely on the 24 week upper limit.

RSS Feed for News, Campaign Updates & Links |

Print this page