PIP: The Consultative and Working Groups of the World Health Organisation (WHO) determined 22 completed weeks should be the distinguishing time of viability in perinatal statistics since no child born before that gestation had survived, or would be likely to survive. The gestational age would be equivalent to about 500 g. in birth weight. The word "viable" actually means capable of independent survival. Reducing the gestational age for recording to 22 weeks does little to remove conflict in registration unless it is first stated that a fetus born before that time is accepted as an abortion even though it might be born alive. This would be correct unless the infant was over 500 g in weight which then might be the added criterion for its inclusion in a birth statistic or for a therapeutic decision on entrance to intensive care. 22 weeks and 500 g would best both be used, and any fetus less than 22 completed weeks and less than 500 g born alive or dead would have to be recorded as an abortion if at all, as recommended by WHO working parties. The use of 22 weeks in abortion law reform would be acceptable but the dates alone would have to be the criterion. The occasional 20 or 21 week fetus born by termination and weighing more than 500 g would have to be registered as a stillbirth or as a livebirth, but that should not make the act illegal if the dates were fairly and honestly assessed before operation.