INRODUCTION What is the law? Subject to the provsions of this section, a person shall not be guilty of an offence under the law relating to abortion when a pregnancy is terminated by a registered medical practitioner if two registered medical practitioners are of the opinion, formed in good faith: Subject to the provsions of this section, a person shall not be guilty of an offence under the law relating to abortion when a pregnancy is terminated by a registered medical practitioner if two registered medical practitioners are of the opinion, formed in good faith: (a) that the pregnancy has not exceeded its 24 th week and that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or any existing children of her family; or (b) that the termination is necessary to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman; or (c) that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated; or (d) that there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped.

Autonomy Are all decisions made by the parent made truly autonomously? Are all decisions made by the parent made truly autonomously? Are the consequences of deciding whether or not to have a test properly thought through? (patients may not realise tests are optional) Are the consequences of deciding whether or not to have a test properly thought through? (patients may not realise tests are optional) The parents’ interests may conflict with that of the fetus The parents’ interests may conflict with that of the fetus

Justice Equality of foetuses (right to life defined by ability/disability) Equality of foetuses (right to life defined by ability/disability) What does ‘seriously handicapped’ mean? (Is section ‘d’ too vague? too subjective?) What does ‘seriously handicapped’ mean? (Is section ‘d’ too vague? too subjective?) Impact of perceived value of individuals based on ability/disability on society (promotion of a more judgemental society if acceptable to abort a disabled child) Impact of perceived value of individuals based on ability/disability on society (promotion of a more judgemental society if acceptable to abort a disabled child) May influence attitudes of others towards disabled people May influence attitudes of others towards disabled people

Benificence Consider the value of disabled people in society Consider the value of disabled people in society Is perfection valued above a persons inherent worth? Is perfection valued above a persons inherent worth? Caring for people can bring families together Caring for people can bring families together How can we judge the quality of life of a handicapped person and say it is not worth living? How can we judge the quality of life of a handicapped person and say it is not worth living?

Non- maleficence The consequences of a termination, particularly with late terminations The consequences of a termination, particularly with late terminations Risks associated with advances in medical technology; Risks associated with advances in medical technology; − risks of the procedures themselves − risks of terminating a healthy normal baby − Limited by medical certainty which is mainly based on risk eg. with Down’s Syndrome Advances in medical care : Advances in medical care : − modern treatment and drugs mean that some conditions are curable or can be managed more effectively − More information and care services and charities can provide better health care to make life less disabling

What would you do??? Cleft palate Cleft palate Down’s Syndrome Down’s Syndrome Talipes Talipes Spina Bifida Spina Bifida Limb deformities Limb deformities Cardiac anomalies Cardiac anomalies Diaphragmatic hernias Diaphragmatic hernias