Attitudes on abortion among a group of Sri Lankan medical students.

A study on attitudes on abortion for foetal anomalies, incest and rape was conducted among a group of 100 medical students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, who had completed the medico-legal module and the forensic medicine appointment. In spite of a restrictive law on abortion, it is estimated that 44.7 per 1000 women aged 15 to 49 years have abortions each year in Sri Lanka [1]. This is a classic case of turning a blind eye to the obvious because it is too hot to handle. As medical professionals we face the ethical dilemma of having to offer abortions for genuine reasons. It has been made easy for the doctors by law, when the mother's life is in danger. But not so with other situations like foetal anomalies, incest and rape [2].