Abortions should be completely decriminalised and made much more readily available, the president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has said.
Professor Lesley Regan told the Daily Mail that abortion should be treated no differently to minor medical procedures such as removing a bunion.
This week, RCOG will hold a ballot to decide whether the college should formally back the total decriminalisation of abortion.
Easy access
Professor Regan complained that women who purchase abortion drugs online could be subject to prosecution.
And she argued that abortion should be totally decriminalised, making it as easy to access as minor medical procedures:
“If you go and get your bunions sorted … you would go to a consultation … then you take a decision and the doctor who was competent to undertake the procedure would sign the form too, and that would go forward”, she said.
Accurate
The Christian Institute contacted RCOG which confirmed the remarks were accurately reported.
The group said that Professor Regan’s comments were part of a “wide-ranging interview” and that she stands by them.
The professor came under fire from Clara Campbell of pro-life charity Life who stressed that decriminalisation would lead to abortion on demand with little regulation.
Protect the unborn
Campbell said: “In the last two years we have seen scandalous health and safety failures at abortion clinics.
“Imagine what will happen when there are no laws on abortion and just a system of toothless regulations with no threat of criminal sanctions.
“We urge parliament not to be pressured by the abortion industry and its allies and to act to protect the interest of vulnerable women and their unborn children.”
BPAS campaign
In February last year, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), launched a campaign to change the law and allow abortion up to birth for any reason.
The campaign wants abortion to be completely decriminalised and calls for the removal of two sections of the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act.
Under the 1861 Act, procuring an abortion is a criminal offence. The 1967 Abortion Act created exemptions which allow abortions to take place in certain circumstances.
However, it is still criminal outwith these circumstances. BPAS want abortion to be made permissible for any reason up to birth.
9 million lives
Shortly after the campaign began, Cathy Warwick, head of the Royal College of Midwives, sparked controversy by coming out in support of it.
In June this year, the British Medical Association also voted to endorse the aims of the campaign.
In total, there have been nearly 9 million abortions in Great Britain since the 1967 Abortion Act came into force.