Most Jamaicans believe that women who become pregnant as a consequence of rape should not have the pregnancy aborted.

That, according to a poll commissioned by pro-life activitists, the results of which were announced by executive director of the Mustard Seed Communities, Father Gregory Ramkissoon at an anti-abortion/pro-life meeting at Mustard Seed Community on Mahoe Drive, St Andrew, yesterday.

The sample size and margin of error of the Market Research Services Ltd poll were not shared, but Ramkissoon, in addressing the meeting, said 40 per cent of the sample were non-religious people.

Seventy per cent of people believe women who become pregnant as a consequence of rape should not have an abortion. Another 79 per cent believe adoption is a much better solution for dealing with unwanted pregnancies than abortion.

Pointing to the results of the poll, Ramkissoon urged politicians to listen to the people and not to be guided by their own consciences when considering implementing abortion legislation.

"Unless politicians hear from the people then they are going to be guided by their consciences," he says.

A draft legislation, which is now before Parliament is awaiting a conscience vote.

Pro-life and anti-abortionist medical doctors, Drs Wayne and Doreen West joined Ramkissoon in his call and rubbished several arguments in the present bill before Parliament for consideration.

misconceptions

They say the bill is full of misconceptions and wants to turn doctors into killers and punish those doctors who do not choose to perform abortions based on moral persuasion.

"They want to make sure that persons like myself, if I refuse to I provide this service I go to jail," said Dr Wayne West.

He was referring to a section of the proposed legislation which states that any medical practitioner who refuses to terminate a pregnancy on the basis of conscience can face up to three months in prison.

In addition to that, the Wests argue that many statistics used by the The Abortion Policy and Review Advisory Group to support their cause for abortion were unfounded.

They say there is no evidence, for instance, to suggest that Jamaica has a high rate of illegally induced abortions nor does it have a high rate of maternal deaths due to abortions.