The law and ethics of abortion


BMA views
March 1997
Revised December 1999

Abortion is a very sensitive issue and one on which members of the BMA hold a wide diversity of views. As with all ethical dilemmas, decisions must be reached by weighing the benefits and harms. Doctors must act within the boundaries of the law and of their own conscience.

The BMA recommends that doctors should not be encouraged to stretch practice to the boundaries of what is legally permissible.

Requests for advice or further information should be directed to: Medical Ethics Department, British Medical Association, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP. Or email the department here

© British Medical Association 2008

Log in to your BMA here



Download the BMA views on abortion in PDF format (90K)

  • Adobe PDF iconTo view and print PDF files, you must have Adobe® Acrobat® Reader installed.

    Download Adobe here