History of abortion | |
Abortion: RU486. Anecdotes of anguish and hope. Rod Bretherton. Daylesford VIC: Rodney Bretherton 1997 (74pp.). ISBN: 0 646 31480 7. |
Dr Bretherton has produced a fascinating anecdotal account, drawing on his experiences as a leading medical abortionist. He traces his journey from medical school in the 1930s - a time when medical abortion was a criminal procedure and those who practised in this area faced considerable professional and legal risks. By explaining changes within the legal profession, medical ethics and practice, he charts the course to the eventual widespread acceptance of abortion today. Despite the prominence in the title of RU486, the so called "abortion pill", this is not the main focus of the text. While many of his anecdotes are of interest, his account suffers from a lack of continuity. It would have been enhanced by a more rigorous analysis of the indications for the procedure and outcomes for women who have attended his clinic. In many ways they remain an anonymous group. Given his wealth of experience and personal insights, there is little serious discussion of the complex ethical and social debate surrounding abortion which is ongoing in our community. Nonetheless, those with an interest in the area will find this a provocative account of an era of dramatic change in community and legal attitudes to this now-common procedure. Ian K Hewitt
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