Tag Archives: 8th committee

From top (left to right) Dr Bela Ganatra and Dr Ronald Johnson, of the Department of Reproductive Health and Research in the World Health Organisation and Dr Abigail Aiken, Assistant Professor at LBJ School of Public Affairs, Texas; Dr Johnson, and Sinn Fein Senator Paul Gavan

This afternoon.

At a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.

Representatives of the World Health Organisation Dr Abigail Aiken, Assistant Professor at LBJ School of Public Affairs, Texas; and Dr Ronald Johnson and Dr Bela Ganatra, from the Department of Reproductive Health and Research in the World Health Organisation, fielded questions from members of the committee.

At one point…

Paul Gavan: “I just want to get rid of a couple of myths that have been spun on one particular side of the debate. Could someone from the panel, please, tell me what are the risks associated with abortion? Does it, for example, result in higher risk of breast cancer? Does it result in a higher risk of mental health problems? Or are these ill-informed myths?…”

Ronald Johnson: “…As far as we know and this is in the guidelines, there are no known risks for breast cancer, for future reproduction, for mental health, no greater for women who have abortion than normal…than the general population.”

Meanwhile…

Dr Rhona Mahony, Master at National Maternity Hospital, Holles St and Professor Fergal Malone, Master at the Rotunda Maternity Hospital are due to start taking questions shortly.

Watch live here