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24 August 2004
The Scottish Council on Human Bioethics (SCHB) indicated, today, that it would welcome any new debate in Scotland relating to the time limit up until when an abortion is possible.
This follows the dramatic experience of Norelle Smith who successfully gave birth to her daughter after she stopped growing at 22 weeks of gestation.1
In the light of this, Dr. Calum MacKellar, Director of Research of the SCHB, indicated that "abortion laws in the UK should be redrafted; other European states are often very shocked when they realise what is taking place here" adding that "the experience of Norelle Smith shows that UK laws were never really based on sound medical evidence in the first place."
He also indicated that "the SCHB would welcome Lord Steel’s initiative to reconsider the UK abortion laws."
1 Exclusive Family joy as 6in Natasha survives, Daily Record (23 August 2004)