The Editor, Sir:

The final report of the Abortion Policy Review Advisory Group and the companion draft bill were tabled in Parliament by the minister of health in February.

Many persons have been shocked to hear that the proposed bill contains penalties of a fine and /or imprisonment for doctors and midwives who act on a conscientious objection to abortion by refusing to perform the procedure or to refer women for it.

Such an objection is usually based on the simple biological fact that abortion is the deliberate and intentional killing of an unborn child.

Every right must be upheld by a corresponding duty. If the legislators of Jamaica establish a woman's right to abortion, they must also enforce the doctor's duty to kill. Thus, it is incoherent to support the former and object to the latter.

I am, etc.,

Dr DOREEN BRADY-WEST

drbradywest@hotmail.com

Kingston 6