A claim published in the Lancet medical journal that so-called 'unsafe' - usually illegal - abortions worldwide have risen by 5% is "dubious", says SPUC.

The claim was made in a report by researchers from the Guttmacher Institute and the World Health Organsation (WHO).

John Smeaton, SPUC director, commented: "The WHO routinely makes unsubstantiated claims about so-called 'unsafe' or illegal abortion. WHO is one of the world’s major pro-abortion bodies. The Guttmacher Institute is the research arm of the worldwide pro-abortion lobby.

"The report is pro-abortion propaganda, and should be dismissed as such." [SPUC, 19 January]

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• 'Three-parent' embryo technique "unethical and macabre" says SPUC
• Midwives defend right to conscientious objection in Scottish court
• Baby-saving pro-life counsellors are under threat, so let's focus on defending them from all quarters [John Smeaton, 27 January]
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• Four patients die thirsty or starving every day in UK hospitals, suggest new stats [Mail, 22 January]