The distortion of language adds to the horror of this discussion. Who would otherwise dare talk of "non-persons"? And, entirely openly, Giubilini and Minerva write: "In spite of the oxymoron in the expression, we propose to call this practice ‘after-birth abortion', rather than ‘infanticide'."

So there we have it: two stories that caught even our liberal and cynical media by surprise. And welcomed by many pro-life campaigners for shining so very bright a light on the arguments used to justify "routine" abortions, and where they lead. But it's all died down again now, and the quiet order of feigned ignorance is restored.