Rapid Responses to:

NEWS EXTRA: Allison Barrett Abortions reach highest ever number in England and Wales BMJ 2005; 331: 310-f [Full text]

Rapid Responses: Submit a response to this article

Rapid Responses published:

Rise in UK abortion rates

Josephine M Quintavalle   (5 August 2005)

Review of sex education approach necessary?

Richard Barr   (5 August 2005)

Abortion a problem, not a solution

Sunday E Adaji   (6 August 2005)

Rise in UK abortion rates 5 August 2005
Josephine M Quintavalle, Director Comment on Reproductive Ethics 2AH Send response to journal: Re: Rise in UK abortion rates	With the United Kingdom almost at the top of the tables for abortion rates worldwide, it is worrying to read Ms Furedi's comments that abortion is a 'legitimate and sensitive solution to the problem of unwanted pregnancy'. Abortion has acknowledged medical risks and long-term consequences, which include significant likelihood of premature birth in subsequent pregnancies (*). It frequently leaves a psychological aftermath as well. To call this a sensitive solution and not show any concern for the increasing numbers is to disregard the health and welfare of women. With very few exceptions, most people in the UK would like to see abortion numbers significantly reduced. Sincerely Josephine Quintavalle (*) 'Previous induced abortion and the risk of very preterm delivery: results of the EPIPAGE study.' RCOG, April 2005, Vol 112, pp 430-437 Competing interests: Pro-Life Organisation
Review of sex education approach necessary? 5 August 2005
Richard Barr, CEO Lurgan, Northern Ireland, BT66 7QA Send response to journal: Re: Review of sex education approach necessary?	Ann Furedi of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service says "It’s futile for us to imagine that abortion can be eliminated by increasing awareness of contraception or through sex education or even improving access to contraception" Has she realised that the current contraception centred approach of the Teenage Pregnancy Unit is failing? Is it maybe time to broaden the sex education approach in Britain to a more holistic one having learnt from our policy mistakes of the past? I do hope so. If we don't change current direction, we will never even begin to create an environment where it is easier for children and underage young people in Britain to be alcohol, drug and sex free. Competing interests: Chief Executive of Love for Life, "delaying sex" centred RSE project
Abortion a problem, not a solution 6 August 2005
Sunday E Adaji, Consultant Gynaecologist Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria Send response to journal: Re: Abortion a problem, not a solution	Ann Furedi did not spell out figures of contraceptive failure rates in the UK (1). Her assertion that increasing abortion rates could be due to this factor (contraceptive failure) is shaky in the absence of this. One worries about her opinion that abortion could be used as solution to unwanted pregnancies rather than a problem especially in the context of poor countries struggling with abortion related morbidities and mortalities (2). Forget not that pronouncements in the West are literally interpreted and quoted out of context in these countries. Efforts should be maintained to curb abortion rates not finding excuses for it. 1. Allison Barrett. Abortions reach highest ever number in England and Wales. BMJ 2005; 331: 310-f [Full text 2. Oye-Adeniran BA, Umoh AV, Nnatu SN Complications of unsafe abortion: a case study and the need for abortion law reform in Nigeria. Reprod Health Matters. 2002 May;10(19):18-21. Competing interests: None declared