News Tonight

As per the new statistics of Government of England, thousands of abortions were being done due to untreatable anomalies found in the babies. These days, abnormalities like cleft palate and club foot conditions were being accepted to undergo an abortion despite of knowing the fact that these problems can be treated.

As pr the statistics, nearly 18,000 babies were aborted between 2002 and 2010 on the grounds of disability, 1,189 of whom were aborted after 24 weeks. Previous year, 2,290 abortions were performed, out of which, 147 were aborted after 24 weeks.

As per the laws of Britain, abortion after 24 weeks was forbidden, but if the babies were found to be at a risk of serious health problem, then termination of pregnancy was allowed. The disability conditions like cleft palate and club foot were treatable so abortion on occurrence of such disabilities was not allowed.

According to Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), "The publication of these statistics after a campaign by the anti-abortion lobby reveals little more than their own vindictiveness". The group ProLife Alliance, who are opposed to abortion, have been applying pressure to the government to release information about abortions performed after 24 weeks since 2005.