DUBLIN, Ireland, SEPT. 13, 2012 (Zenit.org).- A medical symposium in Dublin, Ireland, heard evidence that «abortion is not medically necessary to save the life of a mother.»
The International Symposium on Excellence in Maternal Healthcare was attended by more than 140 Irish medical professionals from the fields of obstetrics and gynecology, mental health, and molecular epidemiology.
Professor Eamon O’Dwyer, speaking for the committee of the symposium, said that the outcome of the conference «provided clarity and confirmation to doctors and legislators.»
A major theme of the symposium was the management of high-risk pregnancies, cancer in pregnancy, fetal anomalies, mental health and maternal mortality.
The Sept. 8 press release by the symposium organizers presented the conclusions contained in the Dublin Declaration on Maternal Healthcare, which states:
— As experienced practitioners and researchers in obstetrics and gynecology, we affirm that direct abortion is not medically necessary to save the life of a woman.
— We uphold that there is a fundamental difference between abortion, and necessary medical treatments that are carried out to save the life of the mother, even if such treatment results in the loss of life of her unborn child.
— We confirm that the prohibition of abortion does not affect, in any way, the availability of optimal care to pregnant women.
O’Dwyer said that attempts were being made to confuse legitimate medical treatment with abortion.
“Irish Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have previously pointed out that treatment for conditions such as ectopic pregnancy are not considered abortion by doctors, yet misinformation in regard to this abounds in public debate.”
«The symposium clarifies that direct abortion is never medically necessary to save the life of a woman, and that’s good news for mothers and their babies,” said Professor O’Dwyer.
The professor’s comments allude to the difference recognized in Christian morality between a direct abortion, and the unintended though foreseen death of the child as a secondary consequence of certain treatments.
Dr Eoghan de Faoite of the organizing committee for the symposium said that the research presented provided clear evidence that best practice medical care for pregnant women does not involve abortion.
«It was fascinating to learn about new therapies involving the safe delivery of chemotherapy during pregnancy and the exciting field of in-utero fetal surgery» he said. «When discussing matters of pregnancy and medicine it is vital that the voices of the real experts, those that actually care for pregnant women, be heard.”
“This Symposium puts an end to the false argument that Ireland needs abortion to treat women, and it was encouraging to hear the international speakers commend Ireland’s high standards of maternal healthcare and low rates of maternal mortality,» he added.
«The Dublin Declaration stating that abortion is not medically necessary was a statement of fact agreed by medical experts and reflecting best medical practice in maternal healthcare,» stated the medical advisor to the Life Institute, Dr Seán Ó Domhnaill.
«This is a globally significant outcome, which shows abortion has no place in treating women and their unborn children,» he affirmed.
