Christian groups urge Scottish gov't to reject 'extreme' abortion up to birth proposals

Christian and pro-life groups are calling on the Scottish government to reject "extreme" proposals to allow abortion up to birth.

The controversial recommendation was made by a group commissioned by the Scottish government to review current abortion law in Scotland. It published its final recommendations to the Scottish government on Friday.

They include removing the current safeguard of two doctors signing off on abortion and the provision of specified grounds for abortion up to 24 weeks. Adopting the group's plans would mean legalizing abortion on demand for any reason, up to 24 weeks.

More controversially, the report recommends that abortion be allowed for any reason up to birth where two healthcare professionals agree "in good faith" that it is appropriate. Current law in Scotland only permits abortion after 24 weeks in cases of "serious handicap," or if the mother's life is at risk.

Furthermore, the report states that "no specific reference is made to sex-selective abortion within any updated abortion legislation."

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