People’s reactions to proposed ethical guidelines that should govern doctors in light of the new abortion regime are being canvassed in an online poll. The Medical Council have set up the survey as the final part of a consultation process. It is open to all the public. One of the biggest proposed changes is to amend the article that prohibits the deliberate killing of a patient, and replace it with a prohibition on the “unlawful” killing of a patient.

Members of the Medico-Legal Alliance said the proposal to equate the term “ethical” with “legal” would “rob the guidelines of any moral force”.

The Life Institute called the proposed changes “deeply disturbing“.

Spokeswoman Niamh Uí Bhriain said: ” It’s very clear that they understand killing is involved, but they want to reflect that some killing – that of innocent, tiny babies – is to be permitted. It’s appalling, but it does reveal the reality of this cruel abortion legislation, and what the government is trying to force doctors to do.”