‘Saved lives’ claim was thoroughly researched

IN response to “DUP’s ‘saved lives’ claim built on sand” (Write Back, June 11), Both Lives Matter is grateful for the opportunity given by Nick Canning to publicly explain its research, cited by the DUP and many others.

There are an estimated 100,000 people alive in Northern Ireland today who would not otherwise have been if the 1967 Abortion Act had been introduced here.

Contrary to Nick Canning, the figure does take account of those who have travelled elsewhere and other factors. Only providers of illegal pills know how many pills they provide, so those numbers aren’t available, but they were considered during our research.

The claim has been challenged before and investigated by an independent health expert appointed by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). They found there is a “reasonable probability around 100,000 people are alive in Northern Ireland today who would have otherwise been aborted had it been legal to do so”.

We invite Nick Canning and any member of the public to visit the websites of either Both Lives Matter, or the ASA, to see the details behind the research.

Many are uncomfortable with this research, because it bursts the myth that Northern Ireland’s approach to abortion doesn’t save lives. However, we believe that facts matter.

DAWN McAVOY

Co-founder, Both Lives Matter