Film-maker Julia Black had an abortion when she was 21

Film-maker Julia Black defended her programme - called My Foetus and shown late at night - saying she hoped it would "kick-start debate".

Media watchdog Ofcom told BBC News Online they had only received two complaints from viewers.

The documentary, shown at 2305 BST, had 1.5 million viewers, much higher than normal for the time slot.

Apart from the Ofcom complaints, eight more viewers rang broadcaster Channel 4 after the show aired to complain.

A further four rang in support of the programme.

A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "I think we always maintained the show had an important purpose."

She said the fact the show had been widely trailed and shown so late had helped cut the number of possible complaints.

"You allay a lot of controversy, and you allay a lot of complaints from people who might stumble across the programme if you do that," she said.

"The show has opened up a lot of interesting debate without having to shock or disturb people."

But groups on both sides of the issue have questioned its validity and its use of footage of aborted foetuses.

Click here to read some of your views

The programme included a clip of a vacuum pump abortion and the four-week-old aborted foetus on a petri dish.

The abortion shown in the film was performed by a doctor at a Marie Stopes clinic in London and the woman having the procedure was not identified.

180,000 abortions take place in Britain each year

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children said: "Although some people from the anti-abortion side were featured, this was principally an attempt to make an abortion seem easy, normal, good.

"Nothing was mentioned of all the possible psychological or physical effects, some of them long-term, on women having abortions at any stage," a spokeswoman said.

Reality

"Her film could have addressed the humanity of the unborn child more successfully."

BPAS, an abortion advice group formerly known as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, also expressed reservations.

"BPAS questions the film and challenges its stance that it captures the reality of abortion," said a spokeswoman.

"Do we need to see these images to engage with what abortion really is? Are women really ignorant of what abortion involves?"

ABORTION FACTS The 1967 Abortion Act made abortions legal in the UK There are 180,000 abortions a year in the UK 87% of abortions take place before 12 weeks The legal limit of abortion is 24 weeks. An abortion can only take place after this time if the woman's life is in danger or in the case of foetal abnormality

Bpas chief executive Ann Furedi added: "For women, photos of destroyed foetuses or videos of suction procedures do not capture the reality of abortion."

The counselling service Brook, which offers advice on sexual health and pregnancy to people aged under 25, said it welcomed discussion of the issues raised by the documentary.

"Too many young people delay seeking help for unplanned pregnancies as they are afraid of being judged harshly," said chief executive Jan Barlow.

"Improving access to impartial information and support for young people is therefore a necessity."

Sensitive

Footage in the programme also included an inspection of aborted foetal remains of a seven-week pregnancy and images of 10-, 11- and 21-week aborted foetuses.

People speaking for and against abortion were interviewed in the 30-minute programme, which was shown at 2305 BST.

Channel 4 said it was sensitive to criticism, but insisted the show would both educate and provoke informed debate.

"We are not broadcasting this footage gratuitously. A warning will be shown prior to the show and there will be a helpline later.

"The point is that abortion is an incredibly common procedure, but we don't see the images and we should have the debate with the full knowledge of what is involved."

Ms Black, who is pro-choice and had an abortion when she was 21, said she wanted to allow both sides of the argument "to actually look at what an abortion is".

"Pro-life groups often use such images to promote their side of the debate, but this programme is about letting viewers decide for themselves."

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Did you see this programme? What did you think of it? This debate is now closed but you can see a selection of your views below.

I thought Julia Black's film was well made and it brought the debate to the present sensitively. We need to address this issue more often. Well done.
Julia, NE Lincolnshire

I am anti-abortion and I watched the programme the day after it was broadcast. I felt that there was a major omission and that was the fact that the abortion showed was of an early embryo. If a 20 week foetus had been shown to be aborted, the programme would have been far more shocking. However, as the person making the programme is "pro-choice" I should not have expected a fully balanced view, should I?

There were some "good" points and comments from both sides, but why did the main anti-abortion side have to be an elderly American male? Was nobody else from the British pro-life view approached?

Abortion means the deliberate killing of a dependant human. I can think of several other ways of helping women who do not want to "have" a child. One is adoption, by some of the many people who desperately want children. Of course, that means that the pregnant woman has to give birth first and then hand her (and her partner's) child over to another person. I am, of course, a man - so I suppose my views do not matter. For the record, I am blessed with two children of my own. I am very lucky.
Anon, Doncaster, England

It was difficult for me to watch this because I deeply regret having an abortion myself about 3 years ago. I felt I was not ready then but now I think I could have coped if I had been possibly persuaded otherwise. However, I do recognise what society has become as a result of children not being brought up properly and I think that women have the right to choose whether or not they are ready for this huge responsibility. Perhaps a lot more counselling should be offered before the abortion is actually carried out.
Anon, London, England

I was keen to watch the programme, believing that it was a good thing to talk more openly about abortion and what actually happens. There's no shame in it, right...? As it happened, I switched off after 10 minutes as the images made me feel sick and I found it very upsetting.
Anon, London

I watched the programme and thought that it was very good, showing the prolife and pro-abortion view points in an objective way. I thought the use of graphic pictures was appropriate, given the nature and consequences of abortion for the "foetus" or unborn child as I prefer to call it. I suppose that it could have illustrated the consequences of the abortion for the mother both emotional and physical. I don't think the programme was designed to shock. Julia Black presented the programme objectively, considering that she has had an abortion herself.
Anon, Norwich, Norfolk

I had an abortion last October and this film really helped me to come to terms with and put behind me what I had been through. When looking into information regarding abortions before my termination I could only find descriptions of procedures and feelings yet I wanted to see actual footage and pictures of what I was going to be going through, however I couldn't find this sort of information anywhere. What I saw on this programme looked a lot less horific than many descriptions I had read and I feel that if I had seen this before my abortion I would have been a lot less frightened and worried about the procedure. Yes it's horrific and in a way murder as the child doesn't have a say but surely it's a better way than bringing an unwanted child into the world who cant physically, mentally or financially be looked after!
Anon, Bromsgrove, Worcs

Being 32 weeks pregnant myself, I think it was an interesting and informative programme. To be perfectly honest I think women need to know what an abortion is all about. I also feel that after seeing this documentary the law should be changed and should be brought down to 12 weeks, as it is in Guernsey. But I would like to thank Ms Black for bringing the topic back into debate because I feel the topic has been swept under the carpet.
Anon, Guernsey

I think the imagery was at an appropriate level and everyone had been warned about the programme's contents. I am, however, opposed to pictures of abortions on placards in the street as these are in the public domain where children or women recently affected by this issue may see them without warning. We would not normally put gory pictures of eye operations or plastic surgery on lorries, so the anti-abortion/pro-life lobby should still not be permitted to use shock tactics. I think photos of women dying from illegal abortions should be similarly restricted in availability.

I was surprised by how disturbing I found the footage of abortions, and glad that the late abortions already represent a tiny percentage of the whole. I believe "humanity" or a "right to life" is gradually acquired somewhere after the "bunch of cells" stage and that we should do everything we can to reform the system so abortions are fewer and earlier, without removing the option from desperate women.
Anon, London, UK

I didn't think the film was very objective. There was too much of the presenter's opinion for my liking. Having said that it did seem like an honest account of what is a brutal and horrible procedure. The presenter didn't seem to shirk away from offending people - she seemed to tell it how she saw it.
Anon, Colchester, England

I thought the programme was horrific, and did nothing to address the role of the male in the decision to abort the baby. Indeed it didn't even mention the role of the father once in the whole programme. As a male I felt totally removed from the whole process, and completely disempowered. Not unsurprisingly the programme did nothing to inform about the role a father should have in the decision as to whether the baby is aborted. At the end of the day, if the mother chooses to abort the foetus then the father has to live with it whilst conversely if the mother decides to have/keep the baby then the father is expected to support it financially until the age of 18 no matter what he thinks. All in all the programme gave no representation as to the views of the father and that's what I found most distasteful about the programme rather than the screening of the images themselves.
Anon, Newbury, Berkshire

Having been through an abortion myself, l was not aware how well the foetus was formed as mine was after the 12 week stage. This was mainly caused by the medical profession sending me away to "think" about it as this just prolonged the agony. What l did, l will have to live with for the rest of my life, but l still believe that we have the right to choose.
Anon, London

I was appalled at Ms Black constantly referring to her unborn baby as "my foetus". Why does she have to dehumanise her developing child? Has anyone ever heard other pregnant women referring to their child as "my feotus"? The programme was very one-sided and brushed over the facts of the development of life in the womb and the possible physical, emotional and mental implications for the mother. I agree that a programme from a pro-life stance needs to be aired to get the other point of view.
Anon, Hull, UK

I too watched the programme and thought that it was very well produced. I hope that I should not have to go through this procedure myself and it did make me think very carefully about the matter of abortion itself. I found that I learnt a lot from the film, especially as prior to the film, I thought I knew a fair bit about abortion, through what I was taught very well at school and subsequently, what I have learnt years after this.

Yes, it was graphic viweing and yes, I felt uncomfortable watching the actual abortion being performed and seeing the graphic images of the results of various stage abortion, but it isn't a pleasant procedure by any stretch of the imagination, so people can not expect a programme like this to dress the issue up so that it is "easy-to-swallow". As Vic from Bristol said, sometimes the woman has no choice but to have an abortion and the thought of having to do this is not an easy decision for many women, by any stretch of the imagination. I applaud Ms Black at being able to conduct such a programme and I wish her, her partner and her new baby daughter the best of luck for the future.
Anon, Barry, South Wales

Watching this programme was very interesting, I think women who have abortions are very brave and I do hope they get support and counselling because it is a traumatic time for them. However, I do have concerns over later abortions, after seeing some of the pictures and scans.
Anon, Brighton England

I watched the programme, and thought it did offer a balanced viewpoint of the realities of abortion. It stayed away from the radically emotional or religious viewpoints, and stated the facts calmly and rationally. The facts are, however unpalatable they may be especially to those not faced with their reality, is that abortion is killing something, but sometimes killing something is a necessary thing and better than the alternative.

John Parsons' comments about carrying out late term abortions will stick in my mind. I was stunned that he described this as acting in the best interests of the woman and the baby. I can't imagine how this can be the best thing for the baby. I hope this documentary makes people think. If abortionists justify late term abortion, can we really trust their excuses about early abortion?
Mary, London

I watched the first part of this documentary, and then had to turn off - having been through an abortion myself at eight weeks pregnant, it was difficult for me to have to associate an image with what I had done. I don't disagree with the programme being shown, as it did appear to come from a neutral and informed viewpoint. I do however think it is extremely difficult for those of us who have already been through this experience to watch it - and may also be a deterrent to those who have this decision yet to make. A very thoughtful and evocative piece of television.
Anon, London, UK

From a personal standpoint, when faced with an unwanted pregnancy I chose to continue with it as I could not bring myself to kill it. I am infinitely grateful however for the ability to choose this for myself, and would fight vigorously to uphold this right for myself and other women.
Sarah, Scotland

I decided to watch the film as I believe there is nothing about this subject that could be shown that shouldn't be shown. I think the film does enough to trigger the question of is it right or is it wrong or when is it right or when is it wrong in people's minds.

I think this film should definitely be followed by further debate and also a film that allows the pro-life point of view to be put in perspective.

There are many more issues to raise, and discuss. The film has just scratched the surface and provided the necessary initial spark. I think what was shown, was right to be shown and more is right to be shown, for instance, a 4-week abortion was a bit of a compromise as the norm according to the film was 12 weeks? If that is the case that should have been the subject?

I'm not being sensationalist here or looking for shock affect, but any disguising of the real truth is a form of censorship which is another infringement of human rights especially if the topic is to be aired. If it is to be aired at all it should be aired properly.
Chris Clews, UK

I think this film will cause a stir mainly about at what stage of pregnancy should be acceptable for abortion. Julia Black was very clever in making this film as she has been on both sides of the fence, and I feel we find this acceptable as opposed to someone who is for or against abortion. It was right to show this film, people can't say it wasn't awful to see unborn babies aborted but it's real life and happens all the time, it's just such a shame especially when you think of so many couples who can't have children desperate to love a baby and call it their own.
Mrs Sian Roberts, Cardiff, Wales

I found this documentary a well-executed and insightful piece of television. All other legal surgical operations have been shown on TV at one time or another, I fail to see how anyone would find pictures of the 4 week-old aborted embryo disturbing. Hopefully it will make more women use their contraception properly in the first place, a subject which obviously needs to be discussed more than showing how simple the abortion procedure is. However, the shocking pictures of late abortions failed to make me become pro-life, but did make think that perhaps the legal abortion limit should be dropped from 24 weeks to 12 weeks, as there is obviously a world of difference between a four week old bundle of cells and something actually resembling a human baby.
Wendy Barrows, Harlow, Essex

Ms Black was looking for a photo opportunity for her pregnancy. I believe she is confused about the pros and cons of abortion. She quoted that one third of British women have opted for this procedure, I have never had to face this decision, however, I thought she would have been more sympathetic to women who chose abortion, having been through one herself.....hypocritical or martyr for her own self-worth spring to mind.
Emma, UK

The most telling point of the whole documentary for me came when Julia Black expressed reservations over the picture of a foetus aborted at 21 weeks, saying that the image "dehumanises" the foetus. And the abortion doesn't?
Monica, Scotland

After seeing that film I feel very strongly opposed to abortion. I can't understand why the presenter admitted to the humanity of the baby on the one hand, but on the other said it's okay to kill the baby. I find that really quite shocking. Why didn't she talk about alternatives to abortion? Are women so weak that they can't get through a few extra months of pregnancy to save the life of the child?
Patrick Leahy, Cambridge, UK

I didn't think many of the images were very shocking because as Ms Black said, they were dehumanised by the gore. The emotional issues for the woman are far more important than the visuals.
Louise, Exeter, UK

The film was disturbing but it's about time it was shown. I don't feel it was biased in either way, it was clearly stating the facts and looking at the issue of abortion from both perspectives. I think Channel 4 were right to show it because no woman wants have an abortion but sometimes it is the only option. It certainly made me challenge my pro-choice views.
Vic, Bristol, England

A very good programme, and has certainly highlighted the issues - I think women considering undergoing an abortion should see this programme first, to understand what it's all about. Then, they will have the facts to make a better informed decision either way.
Nick, Bristol, UK

As a male, having watched the programme, I can say it has only reinforced my feelings that no male should have the right to deny any female the choice of abortion. No male will never comprehend the enormity of the life or death of a foetus. I have always believed that until any foetus is able to sustain its own life, it is fully dependant upon the mother.

If that mother chooses, for whatever reason, to end the chances of the foetus surviving then that is fully the mother's choice and she will have to live with the consequences of her actions. Like it or not, abortion is the ultimate contraceptive. Thank you for a well balanced and informative programme.
Doug, Glasgow, Scotland

I feel very strongly over the comments made by Patrick Leahy, Cambridge, UK. It is typical of a man to simplify the enormity of abortion by saying women are simply weak. Having had an abortion myself I know my reasons and do not feel weak for making a choice that was right for me and the unborn baby. This was not an easy decision to make and despise people who feel the choice should be taken away.
Anon, Scotland

I watched last night's programme with initial mixed feelings as I had an abortion at the age of 16. Although it is a surgical procedure that effectively ends a life I do think that in the majority of circumstances that decision is not taken lightly. With trepidation I watched the programme but by the end felt that Ms Black's film was a balanced view of the argument for/against abortion and was not shocked, disgusted or ashamed of the showing of the procedure or the image of the foetus afterwards. It just confirmed to me that women should have all the information and facts about abortion to be able to make an informed decision. At the age of 16 years I felt it was the right thing to do and although I will never forget what I did, I will never regret the decision I made. Let's hope this programme is able to open further debate on this long hidden subject.
Anon, London