[Ethical problems with the current French practice in therapeutic abortions. Part 2: survey by questionnaire in 15 french university hospitals].

OBJECTIVE

Determine the circumstances and conditions concerning ethical problems raised by medical abortions treated in a certain number of University Hospitals.

METHODS

Survey using a questionnaire during the first three months of 1993 in 15 gynaecology-obstetrics wards in University Hospitals in France.

RESULTS

Fourteen responses were analysed. Usually with complementary open comments.

CONCLUSION

Situations raising ethical problems concerning fetal medicine were encountered in approximately 5% of the pregnancies followed at the university Hospitals. Medical abortion was performed in 2% of the pregnancies. Gynaecologist-obstetricians prefer maintaining their control over prenatal diagnosis, especially when the outcome in medical abortion.