THE Government will not change the law that allows for abortion, despite recent calls to review it now that Singapore needs more babies.

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Wednesday pointed out that when abortion was made legal in 1974, it was not to curb population growth.

Rather, it was to 'safeguard the health and well-being of the woman who has, for various reasons, decided to terminate her pregnancy,' he told Parliament.

The Minister gave two reasons why the law would stay, when responding to questions from MP Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) and Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong.

Firstly, restricting or cancelling abortion would not help to grow the population.

'It is simplistic to assume that one fewer abortion equals one more baby,' he said.

The Health Minister cited Hong Kong and Poland, where abortion was illegal but fertility rates were no better than Singapore's dismal 1.29.

A population generally needs a rate of 2.1 to reproduce itself.

This, he said, showed that there were other factors that affected a country's birth rate.

Secondly, he said that there was no current medical evidence to support the shortening of the 24-week time frame for abortion.

This time frame is accepted by medical experts as the cut-off mark for abortions, as after six months in the womb, the foetus is said to be able to survive outside of it.

Mr Khaw said he had checked on this with medical experts here, when preparing his answer.

They said the time-frame was still valid, as latest studies showed that the survival rate of a foetus dropped sharply prior to 24 weeks in gestation.

If future research showed otherwise, then the time frame could be reviewed, they said.

'So that is the position that I take. And I think let us base our decision purely on science so that we take the emotions out of this particular subject,' said Mr Khaw, adding that the issue of abortion had always generated emotional and opposing views.

In the meantime, the Government would continue to insist on counselling for all women considering abortion. There, they could learn about the risks involved and what other options were open to them.

It would also continue to encourage women to carry the baby to full-term and give it up for adoption.