I completely agree. The recent debate seems to be framed primarily by men who tend to see the fetus as a stand alone fully formed being who simply happens to be surrounded by another being and who argue therefore that the rights of the two are in some way "equal". But women - even those who oppose abortion - tend to see the fetus as something more akin to an extension of the woman, whose body is affected by it in the most intimate way imaginable. As for equality of rights: a woman's health and happiness trumps the right of that fetus every time in my view. It hasn't had a life or consciousness yet - at least not a meaningful one - unlike its mother who will suffer in a fully and truly human way if deprived of control over her own body and life. Of course abortion denies life to the unborn, but so does a woman not having a baby every nine months. But then, I suppose a lot of men would have us do that too.

Anne, London, UK

There seem to be only two arguments being put forward in all these emails, in response to the heartfelt article by Janice Turner. One says "I think women should do what I say." But what gives you the right to dictate to people whose lives you will take no responsibility for? The other argument, which I support, says "Women are in charge of their own lives. Pregnancy and motherhood can be wonderful but they must be voluntary. No one has the right to tell a woman she must have a baby." An abyss lies between a wanted and an unwanted pregnancy. If you don't think abortion is right, then don't have one. That's your right. I believe abortion is a woman's right to choose.

Marge, London,

A very perspicacious article! I think you have summarised the true position very accurately.
Liberal access to abortion is an essential element of human rights in today's society.

Dave, Southampton, UK

I live in Italy where the term for abortion is too short, only 12 weeks. I believe that UK and Netherlands law are more equate and have respect for women's lives.
I'm not "for" the abortion; I'm for the right to choose not to have a child. And only a woman could choose. We aren't all born to be mother: I choose to be childfree, I have never had an abortion, but I would do it if necessary. And I never juge a woman that do an abortion.

Elena, Torino, Italy

Thank you for a well-reasoned article. What you list as "impossible dilemmas" for the women who have to have a late abortion corresponds with what I heard and saw when I was a volunteer counsellor for pregnant women many years ago.

Dr Findlater, I object strongly to the term "holocaust". It's not the same thing as deliberately killing six million people who had already been born, including the people who would have been my in-laws if the Nazis hadn't murdered them.

I have never been pregnant and have therefore never had an abortion either; because I am disabled I had to make an informed choice not to have children. But there are still too many women who have no such choice and should therefore not be forced to go through with an unwanted pregnancy.

Julia Iskandar, London, England

It's amazing that people still judge and want to control other women's lives. Humans have individual freedoms. Abortion is one, whether it's one week or 24 weeks, women have the right to choose to terminate their child. Let's face it, this world is not safe for women and chilren. There are hideous crimes against them - sex trafficking, abuse, rape, war, low-pyaing jobs status. Until that changes, why would a woman want to bring an unwanted child in the world? Focus on the children that are alive in this world. That is being pro-life. Besides, a recent article in the New York times said that abortion rates are the same in countries where it is legal as it is illegal. Illegal abortion kills women. Keep late term abortion legal to save women's lives.

Greta G., Boulder, Colorado, USA

So, abrtion is not used as a contraceptive? 17 years ago my married daughter was asked by her doctor when she went for her pregancy test results, "Do you want it?"

Abortion, is the killing of an unborn child, whether we like it or not. Maybe, just maybe there is an argument in favour in the case of rape or the mothers health. But that should be rarely used and certainly not after more than a handful of weeks.

Pete Hodge, Skelmersdale, Lancashire

Janice, you're so right.
I really wish these women-bashing moralists would stop using abortion as a shame-stick to beat women with. It's just not relevant for them to bewail the numbers of abortions in this country, or to pontificate on whether the woman had a 'good enough reason' to have an abortion. The fact is, each individual woman who has made this difficult and responsible choice has done so because in her situation at that time, having a baby was completely wrong for her or her family. That is what we have to bear in mind.
Women know how much they can cope with - and contraception fails, relationships break down, life is hard for some people. These screechy anti-woman zealots know and care little for the reality of the situation of the very many women who undergo this common procedure. Who (apart from, it seems a few religious extremists) would want to go back to the bad old days of death and disability after dangerous abortions done by the local Vera Drake?

issiebiba, London, UK

I was in the unlucky position of finding out, at a routine 20 week scan, that my baby had such a serious heart defect that she might not survive for long after birth. I was encouraged to have a termination by the medical staff at my local hospital. However, I was referred for a specialist opinion and found out that risky, but life-saving surgery was a possibility, at the forefront of science - but the future was/is uncertain. I chose to continue with the pregnancy but it was a very hard decision based on balancing the baby's chances of survival, any suffering caused by medical treatment, the possible quality of lfie achieveable and the number of years of life that surgery might give. I am glad I chose to continue - but I can entirely understand those who do not or, indeed, don't have the chance of any medical treatment/surgery. The law must remain at 24 weeks to protect them and, yes, their unborn child. Nature is cruel and termination is sometimes the least awful option.

Maria, London, UK

24 weeks are too much.
In the rest of Europe the limit is 16 weeks, quite enough to realize you are pregnant.
And please try to use some contraceptive, generally it works pretty well. Have you ever heard about the day after pills?
The women must have the right of decide, but there must be a limit for everything.

Pat, Campinas, brazil

This article rejects an argument based on sentiment for one based on ... sentiment. Over against the picture of the baby in the womb, we have the picture of the desperate mother. You takes your pick. Doesn't this suggest something else, other than sentiment, must answer the issue?

John Richardson, Elsenham,

If woman needs a late abortion then she's obviously incapable of managing her own life. Which means that it should not be her decision.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

Time to admit that the abortion holocaust in this country is horrific; we are becoming an uncivilised country where vulnerable human life is snuffed out on a whim with the enthusiastic support of those charged with supervision of the provision of the Abortion Act.
We should go back to the intentions of this act, strengthen the safeguards, come down hard on those of bad faith who abuse it or shirk their responsibility and drastically reduce the time limit as well.

dr J Findlater, Carnforth,

You say a foetus is not capable of pain. Yet Dr Anand, a leading expert in foetal pain, has conducted research which has been published worldwide which points to the fact that feotuses can feel pain. It was his work in the 1980s that led to all neonates being givern general anaesthetic for all surgery. Foetuses are capable of feeling pain.

Heidi, Northwich,

Legalised, safe termination of pregnancy is a necessary evil to avoid the horrendous compications seen in so-called 'back-street abortions. However, with this right comes a woman's responsibility for at least attempting to control their fertility until they choose to become pregnant. Of course many unplanned pregnancies are accidental but many more result from carelessness and ignorance. Termination of pregnancy for 'social' as opposed to medical reasons, should be a last resort, following failure of contraception and consideration of other alternatives. Janice Turner's comments on adoption are out-dated and quite offensive to those parents and children with positive experiences of the adoption process.
Women need information,education and support to avoid having to face the dilemma of dealing with an unplannned pregnancy in the first place. Making abortion easier to access is like leaving a fleet of ambulances at the bottom of the cliff instead of just one.

Jenny Ogilvy, Mosgiel, New Zealand

"But it is a challenge to our compassion and our imagination to keep unlocked a door that we would never choose to open."

Unfortunately 200,000 people choose to open the door to abortion clinics every year. Saving them, not from back street abortionists, but from the inconvenience of a dependent human life.

Peter, Dartford,