Abortion and the BBC

While I was in England last week (see below), I was watching the BBC News and they introduced a story on the new 4-D images of a twelve-week old fetus, along with the resulting proposals to reduce the time limit for expectant mothers to have abortions, which stands currently at 24 weeks in the UK. As soon as I heard the topic, I reflexively assumed that they'd have a quote from a pro-lifer saying it's a great idea, followed by a quote from a pro-choicer saying it's a horrible idea, then onto the next story. Much to my surprise, everyone shown in the story said that it was a good idea, including the MP who introduced legalized abortion to the U.K. With his support, he offered this quote: "I think people find it very repugnant to think you are getting close to the point where you are not dealing with a foetus but with the possibility of a baby." A couple of days later, Tony Blair hinted that it was time to revisit the abortion law's time limits, and there was no obvious public outrage, gnashing of teeth, etc.

It almost goes without saying that this sort of honest discussion on abortion policy could never happen in America. One hurdle, of course, is that abortion is generally not a matter for legislation in this country, and so there's not much motivation for folks to discuss it, rationally or otherwise. But even on questions of abortion policy where legislative action is (at least arguably) constitutional, there is no public conversation, but simply a barrage of accusations and counteraccusations, all of which are steeped in the language of rights -- either the fetus/baby's or the mother's. (Witness the Laci Peterson case aftermath.) I don't endorse the UK's abortion policy, nor do I recommend that abortion opponents abandon the rights-based discourse, but I welcome the day when a media reference to abortion actually contemplates a conversation on abortion.

Rob