Abortifacient drugs: ethico-legal issues.

It is conceivable that an oral medicine capable of terminating pregnancy will become available for use in this country. Such a drug will pose significant moral and legal dilemmas for nurses who may find themselves embroiled in situations where they are uncertain of how to reconcile their consciences with statutory law and the requirements of their employers. The RCN Ethics and Nursing Committee offer some guidance on how nurses should act under such difficult circumstances.