June 03, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Austria hold differing ethical views about pregnancy termination, according to a poll by OGM. 20 per cent of respondents always think of abortion as a moral issue, 59 per cent say they do so only under certain circumstances, and 19 per cent say they never do.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Austria hold differing ethical views about pregnancy termination, according to a poll by OGM. 20 per cent of respondents always think of abortion as a moral issue, 59 per cent say they do so only under certain circumstances, and 19 per cent say they never do.

Austria legalized abortion in 1975. The country's legislation allows the procedure at any time during pregnancy when the woman's life or overall physical integrity is in danger, when she has mental-health problems, or when the fetus presents defects. The procedure is also permitted during the first three months of pregnancy due to rape, poor socio-economic conditions or personal choice.

In early March, a new museum on abortion and contraception opened in Austria's capital city, Vienna. Christian Fiala, chairman of the International Association of Abortion and Contraception Specialists, conceived the idea of building the museum in order to dedicate it to the history of his profession. Fiala runs a family planning clinic in Vienna.

Fiala told reporters upon the opening of the museum: "Today we believe that if we discuss abortions or the laws that govern them that it is solely about the rights of the fetus. But we forget that a fetus cannot live unless it (is) inside a healthy woman. And that there is no one other than the woman herself (who) can or should make any decisions about her pregnancy."

Polling Data

Personally, do you think of abortion as a moral issue?

Yes, always	20%
Yes, under certain circumstances	59%
No, never	19%
Not sure	2%

Source: OGM
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 500 Austrian adults, conducted on May 25, 2007. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.