Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Abortion: STill it needs 2 doc signitures

In Malaysia, abortion is allowed if the mother’s health is in jeopardy. However 2 consultant’s signatures are required before the procedure can be carried out legally. In the UK there are moves to abolish the 2 signature rule and medico-legal experts say one signature should be enough

The BBC reports

Women should not need the permission of two doctors to have an abortion, top medical law and ethics specialists say.
The 85 experts have signed a letter which is published in the Times calling for the rules in England, Wales and Scotland to be modernised.
They said the law was outdated and related to an era when “doctors knew best” which was no longer appropriate.

I always thought if it was really necessary in Malaysia these days to stick to the 2 signature rule as well. Perhaps it should be revised?
Abortion indeed is a sensitive topic. It deals with alot of ethical issues including right-of-life, women’s rights, religion etc. Recently I was fascinated to watch Obama and McCain sparring on this issue in their Presidential debates. I thought Obama came across as sounding very rational and indeed very Presidential!

No comments: