PR: Claims by Master of the Rotunda Rejected
04.07.1998
Reports in the "Irish Times" (Saturday July 4th 1998) of claims by the Master of the Rotunda that "abortions" are carried out there to save the life of the Mother reveal that the search through the obscure continues in an attempt to find medical grounds for abortion which in fact do not exist. There is nothing new here and nothing of course which contradicts what is already known and well documented save perhaps that Dr. Peter Mc Kenna's willingness to play fast and loose with medical terms in order to achieve an essentially political purpose.
The instances which the Dr. presents as cases for abortion are so extremely rare that medical textbooks normally do not refer to them at all and most obstetricians will never be confronted by them. However, even in those rare instances, it is clear that the very best medical treatment is available and that such treatment has nothing whatever to do with induced abortion. If that were not the case is he stating that the Rotunda is acting outside Medical Council guidelines which define induced abortion as unethical? We can hardly think so.
We have a right to expect from the medical profession and from persons in a position such as Dr. Mc Kenna a little more responsibility in their use of their position particularly when entering into public debate. We wonder what the motive can he have for deliberately misleading the public on such an emotionally charged issue? Obviously we note the Rotundas recent decision to begin embryo freezing for I.V.F. procedures which shows at the very least a casual attitude toward human life in general. We note also that he deliberately excludes the life of the unborn child as a priority for practising obstetricians when surely his obligation is to make every effort to protect the lives of both Mother and Child. Taken together they amount are a source of serious concern. Certainly it is disingenuous to abuse such rare instances of which he speaks as an emotive battering ram for what he must know will be many thousands of abortions.
We are further concerned that Dr. Mc Kennas remarks may be taken by those women who have found themselves in such extreme circumstances as meaning that they were aborting their babies while receiving proper medical treatment. This is a gross insult and ought to be withdrawn.
No genuine Pro-Life person would ever campaign for a law which would place either Mother or Child at risk and we are therefore re-affirming our equal commitment to both in our call for a referendum.
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