Dr. Trevor Morrow:

It is fair to say that the joint committee has heard from the Abrahamic faiths an unreserved commitment to the sanctity of human life as a starting ethical principle for a just and stable society.

It is recognised that abortion is being practised in Ireland, otherwise those in the medical profession would not be, because of the 1861 Act, seeking some form of legislation to protect them. The concern of those who are committed to the sanctity of life in regard to the potential for such legislation to result in the opening up of the floodgates is a genuine concern rather than a questioning of the integrity or commitment of the moral ethos of the Oireachtas. The UK Abortion Act 1967 was introduced by then MP David Steel who is the son of a Presbyterian Minister. His intent was social justice, particularly for women within that society. Our concern is the changing ethical approaches to abortion within society down through the years, particularly throughout western Europe and the United States of America, which is creating a context wherein the future could be somewhat uncertain.

I would like, if I may, to read some quotations. The Hippocratic oath states: "... I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce an abortion ..." The Declaration of Geneva 1948 states: " ... I will maintain the utmost respect for human life from the time of conception, even under threat ... ". The Council of the British Medical Association stated in 1947: " ... The spirit of the Hippocratic oath cannot change and can be reaffirmed by the profession ... " and " ... this Oath 'enjoins' the duty of curing, the greatest crime being the co-operation in the destruction of life by murder, suicide and abortion ... ". The 1959 UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child states: " ... the child ... ,including appropriate legal protection, both before as well as after birth ... ". By 1970, things began to change. The Declaration of Oslo provides that therapeutic abortion may be performed in circumstances where the vital interests of the mother conflict with those of the unborn child. The amended Declaration of Geneva 1983 states: " ... I will maintain the utmost respect for human life ... ". This means that by the year 2000, in the Royal College of Gynaecologists in Britain, abortion is seen just as a basic health care need. In giving these quotations, I am providing a description of the change of climate and culture that is taking place. The fear is that when legislation is passed it will contribute and add to this and create a context which will be detrimental to the sanctity of human life.