Peterson said the exception should be widened to allow state-level action as well.

He said the exception was China, where bottles are preferred.

The old sinner said the exception was made because my wife was a Baptist.

Healey said the exception gives the states a strong argument to move forward with their cases against the OxyContin maker.

Abortion opponents said the exception left the door open for a doctor to recommend abortion of fetuses that are less than completely healthy.

Ministry chief operating officer Carl Crafar said the exception recognised the unprecedented nature of the attacks and the trauma on all victims who were present.