humanity. We have reached the stage when we - as a society - use Lombrosian ideas about defenceless children, destroy them and call it scientific progress. Alton's opponents pretend that his Bill would have brought a return to back-street methods. Those concerned about back-street methods should have supported this Bill for it would have put a stop to this country acting as Europe's back-street abortionist on non-resident women. We abort at a stage in pregnancy when abortion is illegal in their own countries. These women are offered no pre-abortion or post-abortion counselling. They arrive here, have their abortion, pay for the damage and are dismissed. What happens to them? The 'service' private clinics offer to non-resident women begins and ends with abortion and accepting the cash. The Alton Bill would have put an end to this cynical exploitation of women. We believe that everyone whose true aim is dignity and justice for all should support David Alton in his quest for parity with Europe, the legal recognition of the rights of disabled people and a search for consensus. Feminists Opposed to Eugenics are not alone in the commitment to the rights of women and premature babies. There is a growing movement of pro-life radicals who - inspired by the Alton Bill - will take the pro-life fight into its second stage. In this country we have Women Exploited by Abortion, Liberals for Life, Prolifers for Peace and the Labour Life Group. These people defy the definitions of propagandists. We believe that humanity must be ruled either by the law of mutual respect or by the rule of power. The history of justice is a struggle between the two. Until the law of mutual respect is the foundation of our society the Pro- life Feminist fight will continue.
References
1 David Steel Bill 22 July 1966, HC Debates Vol. 732 col. 1075. 2 Office of Population Census & Surveys, Abortion statistics. Series AB No. 13, HMSO 1986, Table 14, p. 12. 3 As 1 above, col. 1105. 4 As 2 above, Table 17, p. 27. 5 Report from John Hopkins University. Journal of Fertility and Sterility, January 1986, p. 27.