Research

The key issues relating to lowering the upper limit for abortion are:

1. Neonatal survival rates – At what gestational age do premature newborn babies survive?

2. Fetal sentience – At what gestational can babies feel pain?

3. Ultrasound – What does ultrasound tell us about the fetus at different stages of development?

4. Survival after abortion – At what gestational age can babies be born alive after abortion?

In summary:

• In the best neonatal units, such as in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 80% of babies born at 24 weeks and 66% of babies born at 23 weeks will survive. A recent study from University College London has confirmed these data in a UK context and showed that the level of disability in premature babies is much less than is commonly believed.

• Recent research, such as that by Professor Sunny Anand from the University of Arkansas, has shown that fetuses are well enough developed to feel pain down to 18 weeks gestation

• High resolution 3D ultrasound images, pioneered by Professor Stuart Campbell, have shown babies in amazing detail 'walking', yawning, stretching and sucking their thumbs in the womb

• Stories of babies born alive after botched abortions, as young as 16 weeks, are increasingly common and have understandably shocked the public

These are summarized in this short review paper:

Time for change - Reducing the upper abortion limit

and in the minority report issued by two members of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee last October.

Minority Report on scientific developments relating to the Abortion Act 1967

Key Research Papers

Neonatal Survival

Significant numbers of babies below 24 weeks now survive in the best neonatal units

Hoekstra RE et al. Survival and longterm neurodevelopmental outcome of extremely premature infants born at 23-26 weeks gestational age at a tertiary centre. Pediatrics 2004; 113: e1-e6

Wyatt J et al. Survival and neurodevelopmental morbidity at 1 year of age following extremely preterm delivery over a 20-year period: a single centre cohort study. Acta Pædiatrica 2008; 97: 159–165

Fetal Pain

Fetuses have the capacity to feel pain down to 18 weeks and possibly below

Anand KJS. Fetal Pain? Pain Clinical Updates 2006; 14:2

Ultrasound Imaging

Babies 'walk in the womb' as young as twelve weeks

Campbell S. Multiple articles available on line.

Survival after abortion

Babies as young as 16 weeks are born alive after abortion

Wyldes M, Tonks A. Termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly: a population-based study 1995 to 2004. BJOG 2007;114:639–642.