Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill — Prospects for life of handicapped child must be given before abortion — rejected — 20 May 2008 at 22:00

The majority of MPs voted against adding a new paragraph to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill^[1] which would have said:^[2]

• If tests of a foetus reveal that there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped, a registered medical practitioner or a suitably qualified health professional expeditiously shall provide the pregnant woman with
• current, scientific information in a written form concerning the life expectancy of, the expected intellectual and functional development of, and the treatment options for a foetus diagnosed with, or a child born with, the physical or mental abnormalities identified as a risk by those tests.
• contact details for, where available, supportive service providers, including telephone help lines specific to the physical or mental abnormalities identified as a risk by those tests, and
• the offer of a suitable opportunity to receive relevant counselling and such other information as they deem proper.

Had this vote been won, it would have been illegal for a termination of pregnancy to take place without the information and offer been provided.

• [1] Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, House of Commons, 6 February 2008
• [2] Nick Palmer MP, House of Commons, 20 May 2008

Debate in Parliament | Source |