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Question No: 689 Question
By: Mr Christopher de Souza |
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To ask the Minister for Health whether he
will consider the promotion of adoption as a serious alternative to
abortion to increase our total fertility rate. |
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Question No: 690
Question By: Mr Christopher de Souza |
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To ask the Minister for Health what would be
Singapore’s annual total fertility rate from 2000 to 2007 if (i) no
abortions were carried out during those years; and (ii) abortions were
only permitted on an unrestricted basis for foetuses up to 12 weeks of
age. |
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Question No: 692
Question By: Mr Christopher de Souza |
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To ask the Minister for Health in view
of some foetuses being viable before 24 weeks and given that the
Abortion Act of 1974 was introduced when curbing population growth
was a social priority, whether he will consider amending the
legislation to lower the 24-week limit for unrestricted abortions
since Singapore now needs to increase her population. |
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Question No: 725
Question By: Mr Siew Kum Hong |
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To ask the Minister for Health whether his
Ministry will (i) affirm the fundamental right of women to choose,
subject to objective considerations of medical safety, whether to have
abortions, which has been accepted in Singapore for the past 4 decades
without question; (ii) confirm whether there is reason to change the
current prevailing objective medical evaluation of independent foetal
viability; and (iii) focus on influencing societal attitudes towards
abortion and counselling persons seeking abortions, instead of the
24-week-limit for unrestricted abortions and women's legal right to
choose. |
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Reply from MOH |
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The Termination of Pregnancy Act was enacted
in 1974, to provide for the safe termination of unwanted pregnancies by
trained persons in appropriately equipped facilities. It is to safeguard
the health and well-being of the woman who has, for various reasons,
decided to terminate her pregnancy. This is intended to ensure that all
children born in Singapore are wanted children, who will be properly
cared for, and will have opportunities to develop to their full
potential. |
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The Act was not introduced to curb
population growth. Neither will its restriction or cancellation help
to grow the population. It is simplistic to assume that one fewer
abortion equals one more baby. Hong Kong and Poland do not allow
abortion for social reasons or on demand, but their birth rates are
among the lowest in the world, not better than that of Singapore.
Among the many countries which legalise abortion on demand, there is
a wide range of birth rates. Clearly there are other factors at play
which determine the birth rate of a population. |
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As for the time limit for unrestricted
abortion, it is determined on medical grounds, based on the doctors’
assessment of the survivability of the foetus outside the womb. |
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The Act requires all women contemplating
abortion to be counselled. The counsellors will advise the women of
the full implications and risks of an abortion, and of the
alternatives available. |
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The issue of abortion is an emotive and
divisive one. It has been debated at length and decided in
Singapore. The decision respects the different views that some
community and religious groups hold on abortion. It is not useful to
talk about abortion in absolute terms as there are practical human,
medical and social issues involved. It would not be wise to reopen
the debate and introduce into Singapore the divisive battles going
on in the West, especially in the US. |
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We will continue with the other efforts
in public education, such as sex education to school children and
the public, as well as in providing assistance to married couples to
have more children. |
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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg News 27 Aug 2008 |
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Related Article: |
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Approved Abortion Institutions |
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FrontPage Edition: Sun 9 Nov 2008
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