Abortion: Law's Ethical Dilemma - Leslie Thomas KC

This lecture delves into the history of abortion in English law, from common law to the Abortion Act 1967.

Professor Thomas KC critically examines the current state of abortion law in England, the Commonwealth Caribbean, and recent developments in the US. Is there a case for further liberalisation of abortion law?

This lecture was recorded by Leslie Thomas KC on 30th November 2023 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London.

Leslie is Gresham Professor of Law.

Before joining Gresham College, he served as a joint Head of Chambers at Garden Court Chambers and continues to be an active Bencher to the Inner Temple, where he is Master of equality, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI).

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:

[markgould]

Put your YouTube call to actions at the start or end of the lecture not part way through and if you insist on doing so balance the volume to that of the lecture.

[leftin]

And no doubt every one of them is carrying a rifle. There comes a time in every war where quality is overcome by quantity

[RobespierreThePoof]

I'm so bored of the abortion debate. Everything that can be said about it had been said long ago. What remains is only an endless "debate" between poorly who refuse to look at the issue holistically.

[litsci]

"Today, we're going to delve into an ethically complex discussion led by me, a man who will never deal with these problems, but who nonetheless is extremely sure of himself up here."

Late word from a woman who wasn't invited: If you aren't vegan and pacifist, there's no ethical complexity here: you just want to control women.

[saw]

Killing kids are unacceptable under any circumstances except if another life is at stake like medical cases where the survival chances are zero and such life can be saved. Abortion isn’t a right but a tragedy. If you can’t take care of the baby maybe give it up for adoption.