Commentary

The phrasing of this opinion leaves many ambiguities about major factors which may influence whether we are 'for' or 'against'. The following factors should be considered and specified:

1. Time limit

• We should consider whether there should be a time limit on when an abortion may take place on the grounds of disability.
• Currently, in the UK it is legal to terminate a pregnancy up to full term on the grounds of disability under The Abortion Act 19671 (Ground E).
• In comparison, the upper limit is 24 weeks if there is no disability.

2. Definition of 'serious disability'

• The statement does not specify which disabilities we should consider 'serious' enough to abort.
• We should consider how our opinion might change based on different disabilities, and the severity of such.
• We should also consider who would determine which disabilities qualify for abortion, and how this should be determined.

3. Intent

• The opinion does not specify whether we are discussing a hypothetical instance in which the sole reason for abortion is disability.
• An individual could have been planning to terminate their pregnancy regardless of disability.
• We should consider whether the true issue is the termination of the pregnancy, or the intention behind aborting a fetus because they have a disability (whether that is discriminatory or prejudiced towards people with disabilities).

4. Universality

• Those who are against should consider whether they mean 'it is never okay, for anyone in any circumstance' or whether they just personally would not terminate the pregnancy.
• Since there are many variegating factors as seen above, one may believe it is okay in some circumstances, but not in others. Thus they would not be 'neutral' but 'for' or 'against' based on the specific instance.

As a mother if you don’t believe you would be able to care for a child with a serious inheritable disability, then that is sufficient reason to terminate a pregnancy.

• Under the UK abortion act, Section 1(1)(d) Ground E states that ‘A pregnancy may be terminated at any stage for foetal abnormality. It specifies that there is a substantial risk that if the child was born it would suffer from such physical and mental abnormalities as to be severely handicapped.’
• I think it is one thing to judge looking from an outside perspective. But to be in a position where there is a chance that your baby could be born with a serious disease, and you don’t know if you would be in a position to care for them can be quite daunting.
• This shouldn’t be a decision that is taken lightly. If you don’t believe you could provide your child with an adequate quality of life/ standard of living, then I believe termination outweighs this.
• I know there are alternative options for example adoption however some women may not be able to handle the thought of carrying a child to have to give them away.