Paul KeenanMidwives to take ‘lead role’ in abortions
The Pro Life Campaign (PLC) has described as “shocking” the news that midwives in Britain will, for the first time, be permitted to take a “lead role” in performing abortions.
On June 1, the British government announced new guidelines for midwives and nurses present at terminations. While under previous guidelines they could undertake “certain actions” assisting during an abortion, the new rules state that a “nurse or midwife may administer the drugs used for medical abortions”.
Reacting to the news, Cora Sherlock said that this development shows how abortion perverts and damages society.
"Midwives do the incredibly important job of helping to bring babies into the world,” she said. “It is shocking to think that midwives who are trained to help ensure the safe delivery of babies will now be asked to play a primary role in deliberately ending the lives of unborn babies.”
The PLC condemnation was echoed in Britain, where Members of Parliament and anti-abortion campaigners voiced their outrage at the loosening of abortion rules.
Lord Alton of Liverpool said it was “particularly perverse that midwives, who do the beautiful work of helping babies into the world, will now be called upon to end the lives of children they might otherwise work to save”.
The move on midwives and nurses followed pressure from Britain’s Royal College of Nursing and abortion providers, who argued the law should be changed to allow nurses full control of abortion induced by drugs or some other techniques.
“This move shows yet again that there is no such thing as restrictive abortion,” Ms Sherlock stated.