Catholic Medical Quarterly Volume 66(4) Nov 2016

Correspondence

Debating Conscience with the Pro-Abortion Movement at University College London

Dear Sir,

I write with regard to the article “Debating conscience with the pro-abortion movement at University College London” (CMQ 66(2), pages 18-19). I would like to thank Dr Treloar for publishing the proceedings of the debate on behalf of the CMA.

As a young(ish) practitioner I was encouraged by the thoughtful and non-judgemental way in which he approached the debate. I found his thoughts very moving, especially whilst speaking about his own brother with Down’s syndrome, and the 10 and 28-week old foetuses he had witnessed in his practice as an SHO in gynaecology. Students in life sciences in Manchester already talk of an unchallenged orthodoxy where the weeding out of Down’s syndrome babies is actively promoted(1). I am certainly glad the CMA was invited to the debate at UCL, and hope his thoughts will have had some impact on the students who attended.

As a further note, I found it interesting that a nuchal translucency test was "administered" to his wife without permission. A similar occurrence happened to my wife and I during a recent pregnancy. When we refused Down's syndrome testing, my wife was taken away from me, and then repeatedly asked if she wanted the screening. Obviously this must be common practice across the UK and is a rather saddening reflection on the value placed on life and fatherhood by many healthcare professionals at present.

Unfortunately today we hear of the news that the Royal College of Midwives are supporting the BPAS campaign to decriminalise abortion up to term for any reason, without consultation with their membership. Too often other healthcare professionals are treated as though they are automatons with no right to a world view where the weak must be trampled upon. We must continue to lobby professional bodies that healthcare professionals must be allowed to continue to practice within the realms of the their conscience.

Yours Sincerely

Jonathan Berry MRPharmS, FHEA.
Manchester Branch

Reference

  1. Fr T Byron SJ. Humanism and weakness, in Schola Affectus – The school of the heart. Available at: https://sjsa.wordpress.com/2016/05/14/humanism-weakness/