Category: United Kingdom

Midwives to appeal ruling against freedom of conscience

Two Catholic midwives will appeal a ruling by the Court of Session in Edinburgh that they must facilitate abortions by supervising and supporting nurses involved with the procedure. [BBC]

 Herald Scotland:

Human eggs grown from stem cells to be used to produce embryos

It is reported that, within a few weeks, researchers from Edinburgh University will request a license from Britain’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to fertilize human eggs produced from stem cells isolated in ovarian tissue.  The ultimate goal is to produce an unlimited supply of human eggs for artificial reproduction and research, and, perhaps, to provide a way to treat older women to prevent health problems related to menopause.  However, the immediate purpose is to demonstrate that the eggs grown in the laboratory can be used to produce human embryos.  Embryos  produced in the initial experiment will be studied for up to 14 days and then destroyed or frozen. [The Independent] While researchers clearly are protected by a protection of conscience provision in the Human Fertilization and Embryology Act, a recent court decision suggests that the law may not protect physicians and others who may be asked to facilitate procedures and services that may ultimately be derived from this research.

Fewer physicians in United Kingdom willing to provide abortions

Inspections by the Care and Quality Commission of 250 abortion facilities in England found that, in as many as 50 of them, consent forms for abortion were being pre-signed by physicians.  In addition, the Daily Mail disclosed the practice of sex selective abortions by some physicians, who now face discipline from the General Medical Council.  Report of these incidents have triggered complaints from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and abortion activists.  They are concerned that few physicians are willing to train to do abortions and that it is difficult to find any who will perform the procedure.  The groups fear that public protest and controversy will “put doctors and nurses off becoming involved” in the service.  They state that most National Health Service physicians will not do abortions beyond 12 to 14 weeks; only a small number of physicians in the country will do later abortions.  “It’s probably not a dozen people in the country who are doing the ones around 20 weeks and beyond.” 17 gynaecologists, academics and consultants expressed similar concerns in a letter in The Guardian, expressing distress at the prospect that physicians might be disciplined or prosecuted for unethical or illegal practices.[The Guardian]

Increasing medical alteration of disabled children

Surgical and pharmaceutical treatment to limit the growth of disabled children is becoming more frequent.  A British newspaper has identified a dozen families involved in them.  Such procedures first came to public notice about five years ago, when a severely disabled nine year old girl living near Seattle was subjected to a series of medical procedures to prevent her from growing further.  [The Guardian]

 

Sex selective abortions in United Kingdom

An investigation by the Daily Mail has revealed that some physicians in the United Kingdom will arrange for sex-selective abortions.  A physician suspended by the General Medical Council following the disclosure agreed to falsify the reason for the procedure.  Another physician and an obstetrician/gynaecologist also face discipline.  [Daily Mail]