Protection of Conscience Project Library
Service, not Servitude
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Widespread and authoritative reports on this subject have been published and there is no evidence to indicate that ultrasound administered in the doses that are employed medically has any adverse effect on mother or fetus at any stage of gestation..
Hodge K. (Correspondence) Therapeutic abortion and ultrasound. Can Med Assoc J. 1971 Nov 20;105(10):1021.
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Since my earlier letter in the August 7 issue of the Journal, (p. 240) some additional information has been received which supports the use of the “morning after pill.” Sarrel at Yale reports only one pregnancy in about 1000 cases given 50 mg. of diethylstilbestrol daily for five days within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.
Ball MJ. (Correspondence) The “morning-after” pill. Can Med Assoc J. 1971;105(7):691.
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A course of post-coital estrogens, in adequate dosage, is a highly effective and safe (though misnamed) form of post-coital contraception that deserves to be more widely known and prescribed. Both unwanted pregnancies and the demand for abortion could be reduced by its widespread use in emergency situations.
Ball MJ. (Correspondence) The “morning-after pill”. Can Med Assoc J. 1971;105(3):240.
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I am afraid, therefore, that the potential trainee with a conscientious objection to abortion must face the fact that even if he is fortunate enough to obtain trainee posts in units where his conscience can be respected, he will still have to face the fact at the end of his training, that if he does not obtain a post in a large teaching unit, he is likely to have to face the choice of either leaving the specialty or the country.
Carr CJ. (Correspondence) Obstetric Appointments and the Abortion Act. Br Med J. 1971 Jul 31;3(5769):305.
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It is reported that over 90,000 pregnancies in Britain are now terminated annually and this must place a considerable extra burden on the already overstretched resources of the N.H.S., resulting in even longer delays for those women needing other forms of gynaecological surgery. Some young hospital doctors and nurses who wish to gain experience in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology are discouraged from doing so by the pressures which would inevitably be put upon them to assist at, or perform, abortions.
Allan E, Taylor P, Walker K, Fisher M, Nixon J, Spencer G. (Correspondence) Working of the Abortion Act. Br Med J. 1971;305.
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. . . man’s right to live and work according to the dictates of conscience is an asset precious to him and medicine itself. Because of their religious conviction two senior members of this division of obstetrics and gynaecology do not perform abortions. . . If when they leave . . . they can be replaced by men or women of equal calibre Oxford will be fortunate. The integrity, experience, skill, and potential of applicants for these posts will be more important than their willingness to terminate pregnancy.
Stallworthy J. (Correspondence) Obstetric Appointments and the Abortion Act. Br Med J. 1971 Jul 10 3(5766):108.
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I would be grateful if readers would let me know if reports we hear about British hospital practice are factual or not. We are told that candidates for obstetrical and gynaecological posts are first asked if they will co-operate in the abortion programme of that hospital, and their selection depends on the answer to this question.. .
Dunn H. (Correspondence) Obstetric Appointments and the Abortion Act. Br Med J. 1971 May 22;2(5759):464. Available from:
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Concerning the problem of abortion several articles of which have since appeared some time in the Journal, personally I defend the right to the life of a human being, even if he is only a few days old, is innocent and cannot defend himself.
Borreman E. (Correspondence) L’avortement therapeutique (French). Can Med Assoc J. 1971;104(5):421.
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. . . Is the fetus entitled to the same protection as the adult human being? . . . I would challenge any reader to define a human being in any other way than in such relational terms as mother, son, wife or neighbour; only as we relate to people in these terms do we come to know who we are. Psychological or biological definitions are singularly inapt for this purpose. . . .
Heine C. (Correspondence) Therapeutic abortion. Can Med Assoc J. 1971 March 6;104(5):421.
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The two cases described by Dr. Boyce belong to two very different categories and probably should not be associated even for statistical purposes because of the vast difference between x-ray exposures resulting from diagnostic procedures and therapeutic applications. . . Hence my point: radiation received in x-ray diagnosis is not a valid reason for therapeutic abortion.
Stapleton J. (Correspondence) Therapeutic abortion in a Canadian city. Can Med Assoc J. 1971;104(1):70.