Denmark to review its abortion limits

Currently, women can get an abortion up to 12 weeks, making Denmark one of the most restrictive time limits for abortion in Western Europe. The Danish abortion limit was set over 50 years ago. The Ethics Council has not looked at the abortion rules since 2007, and now it is time for a review, the Council believes. This reports the Christian Danish daily Kristeligt Dagblad.

The Council will hold discussions on the subject with health and ethical experts. According to Kristeligt Dagblad, everything is at stake. "The recommendation can thus end up in a recommendation for a more restrictive, more lenient or the same time limit as now."

This summer, the council will publish the recommendations in a report. These are only recommendations, and the council cannot therefore change the abortion limit.

The Ethics Council was established in 1987 to advise the Danish Parliament and authorities. It has 17 members. The Minister of Health appoints the Council, which deals with questions about biotechnology, genetic technology, and environmental issues.