Britain OKs television ads for abortion clinics

LONDON -- Britain's broadcast advertising body has given the go-ahead for private abortion clinics to advertise their services on television.

The Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice says there is no justification for barring private clinics that offer post-pregnancy services, including abortions, from advertising on television.

Nonprofit post-pregnancy services are already allowed to advertise on television, and their for-profit counterparts are allowed to advertise in all other media.

Conservative lawmaker Nadine Dories said the move would desensitize people to the seriousness of getting a termination.

But committee spokesman Matt Wilson said the new rules would not allow companies to say: "Come to us to get an abortion." He said clinics would have to promote an "array of services."