Synopsis:
This is an important book which above all explores two major developments for the Australian pro-life movement. Firstly this book reports the hopeful news that there has been a significant reduction in the number of abortions performed in the United States. It also reports that women-centred strategies are now being developed in Australia. Significantly, it notes that these new strategies complement rather than replace traditional pro-life strategies and arguments.
The second development which this book reports is arguably even more important. Thanks to an anonymous donor, Southern Cross Bioethics Institute was able to commission a major four-stage research project to explore in depth the attitudes of ordinary Australians to abortion and a number of other issues including sex education and stem cell research. This research was conducted between 2004 and 2006.
'Common Ground?' argues that public debate and public policy about abortion in Australia should move beyond the ‘winner-takes-all' confrontations of the past, and instead seek to build consensus based on the views and concerns of ordinary Australians. Yet there is more to the book than just this – it includes many more statistics on the views of ordinary Australians, a literature review on effective sex education and an extensive review of social science research about abortion.
One chapter argues compellingly that the right to life recognised in international law extends to the unborn; another draws on the Australian Constitution to defend the right of those with religious views to participate in public debate. Especially at this time when Victorian abortion law is being reviewed, this fine book provides much to reflect upon. |
