ABORTION CONTORTION

Rachel Morris thinks that abortion “may be one area where we could learn something from the American experience” ( Bulletin, April 1). I very much doubt it.

Our standard modus operandi is to apply the

“good old British hypocrisy” loophole. Essentially, this is

how it works. Certifying consultants ask the woman three questions, and only one needs to have a “yes” answer.

1. Would continuing the pregnancy threaten the woman’s life? The answer is nearly always “no.”

2. Would continuing the pregnancy seriously affect the woman’s physical health? The answer is usually “no.”

3. Would continuing the pregnancy seriously affect the woman’s mental health? This question turns into a semantic exercise. It can be rephrased for as many times as it takes to produce the answer “yes.”

Example: “Is this pregnancy having a bad effect on your state of mind?” Your state of mind is an aspect of your mental health, etc. Okay, it’s signed off.

Come on over and take a look at how we do things, America – and then eat your heart out. Arch Thomson (Mt Wellington, Auckland)