Letter: Empathy the key to debate on abortion

Sir: Those proposing that the criminal law is applied to abortion present evidence which does not accord with the memories of those who practised medicine prior to the present Act. Bouncing babies adopted by loving parents did exist; but all too common were infected and sometimes dying women who had obtained an abortion in the back streets.

It is an illusion to think that prohibiting abortion by law will mean no abortions; desperate women will seek help where they can. All terminations of pregnancy are to be regretted, but there should be a choice for these to be performed in decent and hygienic conditions.

Dr PETER SAUNDBY

Llangynidr, Powys