Survey shows backing for abortion limit cut

Monday, 29 August 2005 12:00 AM

Most people believe the time limit for abortions should be reduced to 20 weeks, a survey of the UK's attitudes to key ethical and moral issues has revealed.

Of 2,432 adults surveyed for the YouGov poll, 58 per cent said abortions should not take place after the 20th week of pregnancy.

Just 27 per cent felt the current legal limit for terminations should remain at 24-weeks.

A further 19 per cent thought the abortion limit should be reduced to 12 weeks, while nine per cent said it should be less than 12 weeks.

The survey for the Daily Telegraph also found that women were more likely to support tighter controls on abortion than men, with one in three supporting a limit of under 12 weeks.

The paper claims the research will prompt MPs to review the Abortion Act 1967, which provides a legal defence for those carrying out terminations.

Earlier this year the Commons' Science and Technology Select Committee said the current law should be reconsidered in light of modern scientific developments, the Daily Telegraph reports.

According to the latest figures, over 180,000 women in England and Wales had abortions in 2003, with a further 9,100 terminations carried out on non-residents.

Less than two per cent of the terminations were performed between 20 and 24 weeks of pregnancy.

In addition to revealing public attitudes about abortion, the YouGov poll also found there was significant support for euthanasia to be made illegal.

Of those questioned, 87 per cent thought terminally ill patients should have the right to ask for medical assistance to help them die.

A further 67 per cent said close relatives should be able to assist the suicides of sick loved ones without fear of prosecution.

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