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26 June, 2008
Romanian case illustrates potential for conflicts of conscience in abortion
An 11 year old girl said to have been the victim of a rape by a 19 year old
has been flown to Britain for an abortion in her 21st week of pregnancy.
Romanian law permits abortion only up to the 14th week of pregnancy, and only
when the mother's life is endanger or in cases of fetal deformity.
One Romanian medical panel had approved the procedure, but the second rejected
it because there were no medical grounds for it, and the law did not provide for
it. A spokesman for the Orthodox Church in Romania expressed support for
the family's decision to send the girl to the United Kingdom for an abortion on
the grounds that it was an "exceptional case". The situation is
reported to have "divided the country"[The
Telegraph] and illustrates the potential for conflicts of conscience among
health care workers in such circumstances.
25 June, 2008
Elderly man dies naturally in
Winnipeg
84-year-old Samuel Golubchuck has died of natural causes in hospital.
He was at the centre of a civil suit between the family and Winnipeg Grace
Hospital, which had attempted to remove nutrition, hydration and a ventilator
against their wishes. One physician had taken over his care, supported
by two colleagues also willing to care for him. They replaced three
physicians who had quit the intensive care unit rather than continue to provide
care for Golubchuk [See
Doctors
refuse shifts at hospital to avoid care for elderly patient]. The
physicians who withdrew were supported by the Manitoba College of Physicians and
Surgeons, and by Arthur Schafer, an ethicist at the University of Manitoba.
Schafer said that they acted correctly in following their consciences [CBC].
Schafer's position is of interest because he has, at other times, spoken against
freedom of conscience for health care workers [See reference in
Project Letter
to the Editor (Edmonton Sun)]
23 June, 2008
Euthanasia bill
omits protection of conscience clause
Bloc Quebecois MP Francine Lalonde has introduced private member's
Bill C562 in the House of Commons, which would legalize euthanasia in
Canada. The bill has no provision to protect health care workers who would
refuse to facilitate euthanasia for reasons of conscience.
16 June, 2008
Doctors
refuse shifts at hospital to avoid care for elderly patient
Two doctors have withdrawn their critical care services at Grace Hospital in
Winnipeg because they disagree with the court order that 84 year old
Samuel Golubchuk must continue to receive assisted ventilation, nutrition and
hydration pending the outcome of a trial that scheduled for September. The
injunction was obtained by Golubchuck's family to prevent the hospital from
disconnecting his respirator and cutting off assisted nutrition and hydration.
Dr. Anand Kumar had previously withdrawn his services because he considered the
court order "in violation
of my medical ethics," that
the services provided in accordance with it conferred no medical benefit, and
are actually harmful because they are uncomfortable and painful. The most
recent withdrawals of service appear to go beyond the parameters of
conscientious objection, since they are not limited to treatment or care of Mr.
Golubchuk but also potentially affect the services available to other patients
in the intensive care unit. The lawyer for the Golubchuk family has
accused the doctors of attempting to "stigmatize the family for their insistence
on keeping the man alive." Alex Schadenberg,
Executive Director of the
Euthanasia Prevention
Coalition, suggests that the
withdrawal of services is an attempt to create a crisis "in order for them to
get their way and stop
providing treatment." [Globe
and Mail, 18 June, 2008] [CBC]
17 June 2008
Specialists in Ecuador
denounce abortion
A
statement
on abortion released by the Ecuadorian Federation of Societies of Gynecology
and Obstetrics (FESGO)
asserts that the procedure should not be legalized under any
circumstances, and that it is always ethically and medically "unacceptable."
The statement illustrates the need to consider the consequences of legalization
of abortion for the medical profession and the need to include robust legal
protection for conscientious objectors if legalization considered.
16 June, 2008
Freedom of conscience viewed
with alarm
The decision to open pharmacies that do not carry contraceptives is being
characterized as "dangerous" by opponents of freedom of conscience in health
care who are unwilling to admit that the United States has room for health care
professionals who do not adhere to establishment ethics in all respects.
The Washington Post reports that the new initiatives are the result of
prosecution, fines and employer pressure on pharmacists who refuse to dispense
drugs like the morning after pill for reasons of conscience. Some of the
new pharmacies also refuse to sell pornography, tobacco, or rolling papers.
[Washington
Post] 13 June, 2008
American Medical Association to consider motion against freedom of conscience
The annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association
is to consider a motion that would endorse the statutory suppression of freedom
of conscience for pharmacists by requiring them to fill all legal prescriptions
or refer immediately refer patients elsewhere to have the prescriptions filled.
[LifeSite News]10 June, 2008
Canadian lawyer denies physicians can withdraw care over patient objections
Speaking at a conference at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Jocelyn Downie,
the Canada Research Chair of Health Law and Policy asserted
that doctors do not have the legal right to withdraw life-sustaining medical
treatment against a patient's wishes. The comment has been lauded by some
as an unexpected and welcome remark from someone who supports euthanasia and
assisted suicide. However, it is not surprising in view of Downie's belief
that patient autonomy always trumps freedom of conscience for health care
workers. This view led to a controversial joint guest editorial in the
Canadian Medical Association Journal asserting that objecting physicians are
ethically and legally obliged to refer patients for abortion. [See
Responses to "Abortion: Ensuring Access" ]
26 May, 2008
Muslim
pharmacist denounced for exercising freedom of conscience
Marie Stopes International in Britain has expressed "outrage" that a
Muslim pharmacist at a Sainsbury chemist shop (pharmacy) in Manchester has been
permitted to exercise freedom of conscience. The pharmacist refused to
provide the morning after pill on the grounds that it was contrary to his
religious convictions to provide a drug that could cause the death of an embryo
by preventing implantation. He directed the couple to another Sainsbury
shop where they could obtain the drug. The customer asserted that if the
pharmacist wanted to work according t his religious beliefs he should find
another job. [Manchester Evening News]9 May, 2008
Columbian officials and activists plan to force abortion on objection health
care providers
Attorney General Edgardo
Maya of Columbia has asked the Health Ministry to investigate San Ignacio
Hospital, a Catholic facility that has refused to do abortions. The
hospital is being sued [Catholic
hospital sued to force it to perform eugenic abortion]. Maya is
reported to be dissatisfied that only 40 abortions have been provided in the two
years since the Constitutional Court legalized the procedure in cases of rape,
incest, fetal deformity or threats to a mother's life or health. He is
said to be planning to force even private hospitals to provide the procedure,
despite conscientious objection by health care workers. Woman's Link
Worldwide has also complained that physicians are refusing to perform the
procedure for reasons of conscience.
6 May, 2008
Jamaican
nurses promise "agitation and opposition" to abortion
The Nurses Association of Jamaica has promised the government that it will
engage in "extensive agitation and opposition" if it attempts to legalize
abortion in the country. Strong opposition has already been
expressed by Jamaican religious leaders. The statements illustrate the
potential for conflicts of conscience should legalization proceed, and
demonstrate the importance of protection of conscience legislation.
23 April, 2008
Wisconsin pharmacist appeals
Pharmacist Neil Noesen is appealing a reprimand and limitations on his
license to practise pharmacy imposed by the Wisconsin Pharmacy Examining Board.
The appeal will go to the state Supreme Court following decisions
by a Wisconsin Circuit Court and the Wisconsin Court of Appeals that upheld the
decision of the Board. [Daily
Cardinal] [News
Release]
18 April, 2008
Canadian internationalist proposes Freedom of Religion and Conscience Act
Iain Benson, executive director of the Canada-based
Centre for Cultural Renewal, has
recommended that Canada follow the lead of South Africa in developing a charter
to ensure respect for freedom of conscience and religion in Canada. The
issue has become particularly important in the country because of the legal
effect given by the Supreme Court of Canada and other superior courts to
Canada's relatively new Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1984), and
because of the broad powers of provincial and federal human rights commissions
to suppress words and/or deeds that the commissions deem discriminatory, or
which they believe may encourage discrimination. Attacks on freedom of
expression and freedom of religion through the human rights commissions have
become increasingly frequent, particularly since court decisions and the
Civil Marriage Act made it possible for persons of the same sex to legally
register marriages to each other. The Supreme Court of Canada invoked the
Charter of Rights when it struck down all restrictions on abortion in
Canada in 1988, and activists are increasingly citing the Charter and
human rights decisions in an attempt to establish a "right" to abortion and
other morally controversial medical services, and a corresponding obligation on
health care professionals to facilitate such procedures by referral, or to
provide them themselves.
After consulting Benson, some South African Christian leaders drew up a
four-page
Charter of Religious Rights and Freedoms, which was later reviewed, amended
and unanimously approved by representatives of 50 different South African
religions. In 'Taking
a Fresh Look at Religion and Public Policy in Canada,' Benson proposes that
something similar should be done in Canada. [Canadian
Christianity]
15 April, 2008
EU Council pressures
Ireland, Malta and Poland
A committee of the European parliament has called for compulsory sex education
for young people and unrestricted access to abortion. Ireland, Malta and
Poland were criticized because of legal restrictions on abortion in those
countries. [Times of Malta, 15 April] The removal of restrictions would
have a significant impact on conscientious objectors to the procedure.
14 April, 2008
ACOG
reconsidering its attack on freedom of conscience
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued a
statement to the effect that it will review a demand from its ethics committee
that physicians who object to a procedure for reasons of conscience must
facilitate it by referral or provide it themselves when referral is not
possible. The ethics committee opinion generated strong opposition [American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists attacks freedom of conscience
;Pro-Life
OB-GYN association defends freedom of conscience ], and further alarm
was raised when it appeared that the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
would make compliance with the ACOG committee opinion a requirement for
certification [ACOG
attack on freedom of conscience challenged by US Health Secretary].
However, ABOG Executive Director Norman F. Gant, MD denied that abortion would
be an issue in any of its requirements or exams. The report does not refer
to the ABOG position on contraception. News from the ACOG and ABOG
satisfied the American US Health and Human Services Secretary, but was
insufficient to relieve the concerns of Dr. Joe DeCook, vice-president of the American Assn. of
Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, nor Gene Rudd, MD, vice president
of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations. [American
Medical News]
9 April, 2008
Euthanasia sought in India
A 30 year old man paralysed as a result of an accident is petitioning
the President of India for a cure or for euthanasia. He states
that he is no longer able to support his mother, wife and children. [New Kerala, 9 April,
2008]
Majority
in South Africa oppose abortion
A survey by the Human
Sciences Research Council reveals that 90% of South Africans oppose abortion,
though it has been legal in the country for 12 years. [IOL, 9 April, 2008] The
survey demonstrates the probability of conflicts of conscience among health care
workers in the country.
3 April, 2008
Freedom of
conscience in Italian health care threatened
The health manager for a Pisa public health clinic
and hospital will question two doctors as a result of complaints from two women.
One complained about a notice on the clinic door to the effect that the
morning-after pill was not prescribed there. A second complained that she
was refused the drug by a doctor on an emergency ward. The health manager
claims that dispensing or prescribing the morning after pill "has got
nothing to do with the issue of conscientious objection.” A regional
councillor described access to the morning after pill as a "right" that
physicians must respect. Others have defended freedom of conscience for
health care workers. [CNS]
Parliamentary committee on assisted suicide promised
Responding to a request for a royal commission on assisted suicide,
the Scots Minister of Health agreed that a parliamentary committee could
study the issue. [Southern Reporter, 3 April]
1 April, 2008
Protection of
conscience measure fails in Indiana
Senate Bill 2, which would have provided protection for pharmacists
exercising freedom of conscience, has failed to pass the Indiana legislature. [Catholic
Review] |
