Letter: Alarmed by pair's view on abortion

Sixteen EU countries have a limit of 12 weeks gestation or less. 'Great' Britain is one of only five member states with double that limit.

Since the 1967 Abortion Act over seven million pregnancies have been terminated here; 98 per cent on 'mental health' grounds, ie social reasons, not because of rape, disability or risk to the mother's life.

This statistic may not concern people who deem the foetus to be sub-human, but for those of us who think otherwise it is utterly appalling. A total of 73 per cent of British women support a reduction to at least a 20-week limit (ComRes phone poll May 2-4, 2008).

The arguments for what is in effect abortion on demand are seriously flawed, e.g. the spectre of botched backstreet abortions.

What this whole debate boils down to is: Does a woman's right to choose trump her child's right to life? Incredibly, Simblet and Webster answer 'Yes'. We should be thankful they don't apply this same principle to newborns and infants, for really the only difference with an unborn child is 'out of sight, out of mind'.

Increasingly our society absolves people from taking responsibility for their own actions. But if you have sex you must be prepared for the possibility that a human being will be created.

To end that new life in order to make yours easier is, frankly, wicked. MPs Hunt and Kawczynski are to be applauded for their moral clarity. I wish them every success in lessening this blot on our nation's character.

Naomi Gross, Welshpool