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abortion definition – abortion defined

admin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:17:36 +0000

abortion n. The termination of a pregnancy: a miscarriage or the premature

expulsion of a foetus from the womb before the normal period of gestation is

complete. It is an offence to induce or attempt to induce an abortion unless the

terms of the Abortion Act 1967 and the Abortion Regulations 1991 are complied with.

The pregnancy can only be terminated by a registered medical practitioner, and two

registered medical practitioners must agree that it is necessary, for example because

(1) continuation of the pregnancy would involve a risk to the life or physical or

mental health of the pregnant woman (or of other children of hers) that is greater

than the risk of terminating the pregnancy, or (2) that there is a substantial risk

that the child will be born with a serious physical or mental handicap. However,

doctors are not obliged to perform abortions if they can prove that they have a

conscientious objection to so doing. A husband cannot prevent his wife having a

legal abortion if she so wishes. Compare CHILD DESTRUCTION.

admin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:17:02 +0000

child destruction An act causing a viable unborn child to die during the course

of pregnancy or birth. (A foetus is generally considered to be viable, i.e. capable of

being born alive, if the pregnancy has lasted at least 24 weeks.) If carried out with

the intention of causing death, and if it is proved that the act was not carried out in

good faith in order to preserve the mother’s life, the offence is subject to a

maximum punishment of life imprisonment. Compare ABORTION.

admin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:21:14 +0000