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Survey shows Manx residents want law against gender-based abortions

Tue, 13 Feb 2018

The results of a survey commissioned by a group of Manx healthcare professionals show 70% of local residents think parents to be shouldn't be able to request an abortion based on the sex of their baby.

The group asked UK polling company ComRes to conduct a poll of Manx residents after the Abortion Reform Bill underwent its first two readings in the House of Keys.

The findings suggest 81% think a pregnant woman should be assessed by a doctor to ensure there's no coercion, while 7 in 10 think the law should state women can't have an abortion based on gender.

The group says it decided to commission a public opinion poll after meeting with Tynwald members last month.

The results also showed the public wants counselling to be financially independent from the abortion provider.

ComRes contacted 500 adults over a period of 11 days to compile the findings, which it says have been weighted to ensure the survey is representative of the Isle of Man residents based on age and gender.

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