LONDON, : The issue of conscientious objection by medics to abortion poses a key question for British society, says the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), the UK's main pro-life political group.
SPUC was responding to the Parliamentary inquiry by the All Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group (APPPLG) into conscientious objection and abortion. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3700394/Doctors-won-t-carry-abortions-not-promoted-Staff-say-face-glass-ceiling-object-procedure/
Paul Tully, SPUC's general secretary, said: "SPUC is pleased to note that the inquiry's report recognises the damage that the present British abortion system is inflicting on the healthcare profession. Abortion not only does untold harm to unborn children, to women and to the body politic, but it has gravely damaging effects on the moral character of doctors, nurses and others. Medical staff are often reluctant to become involved, but too often succumb to the pressure of the abortion culture."
Mr Tully continued: "Some staff resolutely refuse to comply with the pressure from employers or colleagues to help provide abortions. The result of the pressure is, however, that many people who would want to serve as nurses, doctors or midwives either go into other specialisms, or abandon healthcare altogether. In some cases, tolerant managers are willing to accommodate conscientious objectors, but for many, pursuing a career in obstetrics or gynaecology is very difficult without undertaking abortions.
"The All Party Group's inquiry puts forward a number of recommendations seeking to help conscientious objectors. We will look at these carefully and respond to the proposals. At the same time, we must continue to remind policy makers and healthcare professionals that the root of the problem is not whether we tolerate a range of views within the medical profession. The key question is whether as a society we tolerate - and promote - the killing of unborn children in response to our social problems."
For more detailed comments or for an interview with SPUC, please contact SPUC's Communications Department on: