So, this week has seen more information come to light about how abortion practices are currently carried out in the UK. After the recent discovery that Telegraph reporter's had been offered an abortion purely on the basis of gender alone, with 'no questions asked', it now appears that doctors may be signing the necessary paperwork for abortion without even knowing any of the individual circumstances.
It is a legal requirement for 2 doctors to be signatories, yet the spot checks carried out in 250 abortion clinics over the last week by the Care Quality Commission (including one in my nearest center), suggest that up to one in five of the centers visited were signing these papers without knowing the details of the case.
I am not an expert in the protocol and procedures involved, what I do want to comment on is the response that has arisen from this story.
I have seen many articles and comments referring to the reporting of this story as the continuing of a sustained attack on woman's rights and choices. Andrew Lansley, the Government's Health Secretary, has helpfully commented that his concern on this issue is not the choice for or against abortion, but for the upholding of UK Law. Theses checks were not carried out to prevent the abortion services but to ensure they are carried out safely and responsibly within the law. To hear over hyped complaints about abortion under attack simply does not stack up in this instance.
This issue, along with that raised in the telegraph.,does however point to the concerning fact that the way abortion is offered in the UK can be far too low key, without all considerations given due care. Each aborted child is one known by God, and each is a tragedy. Yet as we have recently learned, it is now possible in 21st Century, sophisticated and modernised Britain, a termination of pregnancy can be achieved if the gender is inconvenient, and without the due consideration of informed medical professionals.
This is an inconvenient truth, one often downplayed in our nations media for fear of upsetting the pro choice lobby. My prayer, is that the recent coverage of these issues will serve to prick the conscience of our nation, leading to serious questions asked over how abortion legislation (designed with some good intentions) has led to the situation we now find ourselves in.
God's people must pray for His heart to be known.
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