Session 5: Mental disability, rights and tragic dilemmas

Question 1

what are the rights at the beginning of life

Answer 1

the foetus has no rights until birth.
the fact that a women is pregnant has no effect on her legal rights in any way
she can engage in any lawful behaviour that is harmful to the foetus
she can refuse medical treatment, incl a c section even if it risks the life of the baby

Question 2

when is abortion not a criminal offence according to 1967 abortion act

Answer 2

1. if the pregnancy is <24 weeks and the risks to the physical and mental health of the woman or any children in her family are greater if the pregnancy were continued
2. termination is necessary to prevent grave/permanent injury to the mother
3. continuing the pregnancy would involve a greater risk to the life of the pregnant women than termination
4. there is substantial risk that the child will be born w physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped