Foetus images ruled out of abortion debate - The Guardian 30th November 2007

Highly detailed ultrasound images which show foetuses "walking", smiling, yawning and rubbing their eyes in the womb do not have a scientific bearing on the debate over abortion, according to the government's response to a report from a committee of MPs. The government said that the highly-detailed so-called 4D images are an aid to health checks, but do not add anything to the science of foetal sentience. Anti-abortion campaigners say the images are evidence that foetuses have a degree of consciousness. The parliamentary science and technology committee said there was a strong case for removing the need for two doctors to approve an abortion. But the government said it would be for MPs to decide if the issue came before parliament. The government also said that the survival of babies born prior to 24 weeks had not improved significantly, as claimed by some on the anti-abortion side of the debate.

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