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PPFA Abortion Conference, 1955 "The sooner the public is acquainted with the
basis facts and implications of abortion in the United States, the better.
Only through widespread knowledge of the situation can responsible public
action be taken to correct the conditions that underlie the high incidence
of illegal abortions in this country." Denmark At the time of the conference, Denmark's population was over 4 million. Until 1939, abortion had been permitted only in emergency situations to protect a woman's life or health. In 1939 the law was loosened to allow abortion for broader medical situations as well as for social indications, or after rape or for eugenic indications. "Since this law was adopted," Clemmesen noted, "the number of legal abortions has risen from five hundred to five thousand yearly." Despite the availablity of legal abortion, illegal abortion persisted. Legal and illegal abortions, plus miscarriages, accounted for 17% of all pregnancies. At the time of the conference, the Ministry of Justice was revising the law, and Parlaiment passed the changes after the conference (October 1, 1956), but prior to the publication of the conference proceedings. The law was tightened, "[demanding] as a condition to interruption that no other soloution to the problem be possible, as, for example, psychotherapy in time to solve the dilemma." Clemmeson then described the legal procedure for abortion, which involved a referral to a Board comprised of two physicians and "a third member who is the leader of the special organization called 'Mothers' Aid.'' The woman would meet with the Board personally to avoid "paper decisions." A discussion ensued about interpretation of the law, which Clemmeson admitted varied from one hospital to another, with women more often freqenting hospitals with a reputation for granting abortions. Background of Conference |
