Sweden
Parliamentary Motions
Swedish members of parliament may, each fall, put forward such
proposals during a "general motions period." The motions do not have
legal weight and do not impose any obligations on parliament. However,
they may bring some issues into focus, and, in the right circumstances,
some may contribute to political developments in Sweden.
25 October, 2010: One of two motions supporting
freedom of conscience for health care workers and institutions,
introduced in the Swedish parliamentary system following the passage of
Resolution 1763 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe. Christian Democrat
Annelie Enochson urges the Government to propose a conscience clause
in healthcare and higher education. A
motion put forward two days later by Hans Linde of the Left Party
attacked Resolution 1763.
Following
a debate on 11 May, 2011, the Swedish parliament rejected Linde's
motion, but affirmed that it was critical of the Resolution and believed
that the Swedish delegation to the Council of Europe "should work to
bring about a change in the nature of this resolution."
Swedish
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English
(Caution: Machine translation)
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Motion 2010/11:K263
Samvetsfrihet
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Motion 2010/11:K263
Freedom of Conscience
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Motion till riksdagen
2010/11:K263
av
Annelie Enochson (KD)
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Motion to Parliament
2010/11:K263
by
Annelie Enochson (CD)
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Samvetsfrihet
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Freedom of Conscience
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Förslag till riksdagsbeslut
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Proposal for a Parliament decision
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1. Riksdagen tillkännager för regeringen som sin mening vad som
anförs i motionen om en samvetsklausul inom sjukvÃ¥rden och
högskoleutbildningen.
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1. Parliament advises the Government of its opinion as stated in
the motion of a conscience clause in healthcare and education.
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2. Riksdagen tillkännager för regeringen som sin mening vad som
anförs i motionen om att införliva samvetsfriheten i
rättighetskatalogen i Sveriges grundlag.
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2. Parliament advises the Government of its opinion as stated in
the motion that freedom of conscience should be incorporated into
the catalogue of rights in the Swedish constitution.
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Justification
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Justification
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När Sverige gick med i EU 1995 blev europeiska konventionen om
skydd för de mänskliga rättigheterna och de grundläggande friheterna
från 1950 svensk lag. I artikel 9 står det om samvetsfrihet (min
markering).
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When Sweden joined the EU in 1995 the European Convention on
Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 1950 became part of Swedish
law. Article 9 addresses freedom of conscience (my selection).
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Artikel 9
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Article 9
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Tankefrihet, samvetsfrihet och religionsfrihet
1. Var och en har rätt till tankefrihet,
samvetsfrihet och religionsfrihet; denna rätt innefattar frihet att
byta religion eller tro och frihet att ensam eller i gemenskap med
andra, offentligt eller enskilt, utöva sin religion eller tro genom
gudstjänst, undervisning, sedvänjor och ritualer.
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Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of
thought, conscience and religion: this right includes freedom to
change religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community
with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or
belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
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I FN:s allmänna förklaring om de mänskliga rättigheterna frÃ¥n
december 1948 står det i artikel 18 om samvetsfrihet.
Artikel 18 Var och en har rätt till
tankefrihet, samvetsfrihet och religionsfrihet. Denna rätt
innefattar frihet att byta religion och trosuppfattning och att,
ensam eller i gemenskap med andra, offentligt eller enskilt, utöva
sin religion eller trosuppfattning genom undervisning,
andaktsutövning, gudstjänst och religiösa sedvänjor.
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The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights from
December 1948 deals with freedom of conscience in Article 18:
Article 18 Everyone has the right to freedom
of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes freedom to
change religion or belief, and that, alone or in community with
others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief
in teaching, practice, worship and religious practices.
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Samvetsfrihet innebär att jag genom att hänvisa till samvetsskäl
inte behöver utföra en viss uppgift. De länder som har en
samvetsklausul kan tillvarata kunnandet och engagemanget hos alla de
personer som funnit sin uppgift inom sjukvården, utan att tvinga den
som hyser samvetsbetänkligheter kring vissa svåra etiska frågor att
delta i viss verksamhet. Detta kan gälla abort, insättandet av
abortiv spiral1 eller forskning
som inbegriper celler från aborterade foster samt annan praxis som
utifrån traditionell etik är kontroversiell. Annan verksamhet som
kan upplevas stötande ur ett annat etiskt perspektiv är vissa
djurförsök eller transplantationer av djurorgan till människor. Om
Sveriges riksdag skulle lagstifta om rätt till dödshjälp i nÃ¥gon
form, och om det skulle ingå i en yrkesgrupps uppgifter och
Ã¥ligganden att utföra momentet, dÃ¥ hör det till de grundläggande
mänskliga rättigheterna i en rättsstat att kunna vägra att utföra
detta för sitt samvetes skull, utan rättslig eller nÃ¥gon annan
pÃ¥följd. Exemplet visar behovet av en samvetsklausul som utgÃ¥r frÃ¥n
traditionell etik och vidgar dess tillämpning och inför det som en
naturlig del inom t.ex. sjukvården och utbildningsväsendet.
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Freedom of conscience implies that, on grounds of conscientious
objection, I need not perform a particular task. The countries that
have a conscience clause are protecting the skill and dedication of
all the people who found their role in health care, without, in
difficult ethical issues, forcing conscientious objectors to
participate in certain activities. This may include abortion, the
insertion of the abortive coil1
or research using cells from aborted fetuses and other practices
deemed controversial based on traditional ethics. Other activities
that may be objectionable from a different ethical perspective may
include some animal studies or transplantation of animal organs into
humans. If the Swedish Parliament were to legalislate a right to
euthanasia in some form, and if it were part of a professional group
functions and duties to put this into effect, then one of the
fundamental human rights in a constitutional state is to refuse to
perform it for on grounds of conscience; without judicial or other
remedies. The example shows the need for a conscience clause, based
on traditional ethics and broadened in scope, and to view it as a
natural part of such health care and education.
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När sjukvårdspersonal på kvinnokliniken vid
Mälarsjukhuset tog illa vid sig av en kvinnas aborterande av
flickor begärde verksamhetschefen besked av Socialstyrelsen om
personal kunde vägra att berätta om det väntade barnets kön, för att
inte behöva medverka vid könsselektiva aborter.2
Socialstyrelsen meddelade senare att något undantag inte kunde
medges, vilket aktualiserar frågan om det är rimligt att tvinga
svensk sjukvårdspersonal, män och kvinnor, att abortera flickor av
det enda skälet att den gravida kvinnan eller hennes partner hellre
vill ha en pojke.
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When the medical staff at Women's Clinic at the
Mälardalen Hospital were upset that a woman wanted to abort
girls, they asked the head of the clinic to seek direction from the
National Board as to whether or not they could refuse to disclose
the expected baby's sex, to avoid having participate in
sex-selective abortions.2 The
National Board later explained that no exemption could be granted,
which raises the question whether it is reasonable to force the
Swedish health care personnel, men and women to abort girls for the
sole reason that the pregnant woman or her partner would rather have
a boy.
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Enligt en doktorsavhandling av Meta Lindström, där 224
gynekologer tillfrÃ¥gades om möjligheten för dem att av samvetsskäl
slippa delta i abortverksamheten, ansåg 64 % av de manliga samt 46 %
av de kvinnliga gynekologerna att det "är rätt att gynekologer
innehar rätten att av personliga skäl vägra medverka vid aborter".3
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According to a dissertation by Meta Lindstrom, where 224
gynecologists were asked about the possibility of them for reasons
of conscience not to require any abortion activities, 64% of male
and 46% of female gynecologists said "it is right that gynecologists
reserve the right, for personal reasons, to refuse participate in
abortions."3
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SÃ¥ledes anser majoriteten av den yrkesgrupp som
utför aborter i Sverige att en samvetsklausul, Ã¥tminstone för
gynekologer, bör finnas. |
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Thus, the majority of the
profession who performs abortions in Sweden should be supportive of
a conscience clause, at least for gynecologists. |
I Sverige har regering och riksdag resonerat tvärtom och menat
att dessa personer bör söka sig till andra yrken om de känner att de
inte kan gå emot sitt samvete. När Samvetsklausulutredningen
presenterade sitt förslag 1996 framkom emellertid att individuella
lösningar ofta arbetades fram pÃ¥ berörda arbetsplatser. Det är inte
heller sällsynt att man hör vÃ¥rdpersonal hänvisa till en
samvetsklausul de tror existerar och som man därför följer. Detta
gör att det ofta i realiteten finns en informell samvetsklausul, men
långt ifrån alltid.
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In Sweden, the government and parliament have reasoned to the
contrary, stating that these people should seek other jobs if they
feel they cannot go against their conscience. When the Conscience
Clause Inquiry presented its proposal in 1996 it revealed, however,
that individual solutions often were developed in the workplace. It
is not rare to hear professionals refer to a conscience clause they
believe exists and that they therefore follow. This means that, in
reality,there is often an informal conscience clause, though not
always.
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Trots att Samvetsklausulutredningen i betänkandet Samvetsklausul
inom högskoleutbildningen (SOU 1994:84) inte ansÃ¥g det berättigat
att införa en samvetsklausul inom utbildningsväsendet, förordades
att studenterna bör ges rätt att hos Överklagandenämnden för
högskolan särskilt överklaga beslut om deltagande i obligatoriska
utbildningsmoment. Utredningen undersökte inte heller
förutsättningarna för att införa en samvetsklausul inom arbetslivet.
När frÃ¥gan om organtransplantation utreddes fanns det även förslag
om att införa en samvetsklausul gällande denna verksamhet, och ett
antal remissinstanser förordade att en samvetsklausul för
vÃ¥rdpersonal skulle ge möjlighet att avstÃ¥ frÃ¥n deltagande i
transplantationsverksamhet med organ från aborterade foster. Så blev
emellertid inte fallet.
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Although the Report of the Inquiry into the Conscience Clause in
Higher Education (SOU 1994:84)4
did not consider it justified to introduce a conscience clause in
the education system, it was proposed that students should be given
the right to appeal to the University Appeals Board, in particular
to appeal participation in mandatory training modules. The study
also failed to examine the conditions for introducing a conscience
clause in the workplace. When the issue of organ transplantation was
investigated, there were also proposals to introduce a conscience
clause about this activity, and a number of respondents supported
the idea that a conscience clause for health professionals would
provide the opportunity to abstain from participating in the
transplantation of organs from aborted fetuses. That was not the
case.
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Europarådets parlament behandlade den 7 oktober i år en motion,
skriven av en svensk riksdagsledamot och som handlade om åberopade
samvetsskäl och tillgång till lagstadgad vård och behandling inom
hälso- och sjukvård. Motionären krävde att samvetsgrundad vägran att
utföra vÃ¥rd, som är i enlighet med ett lands lagar, starkt skulle
begränsas. I förslaget, som utifrÃ¥n motionen lades fram för
Europarådet, fanns även krav på att ett register skulle inrättas dit
vårdpersonal med samvetsbetänkligheter skulle rapporteras. Motionen
syftade uttryckligen på kvinnors rätt till reproduktiv hälsa och i
synnerhet pÃ¥ rätten att fÃ¥ abort utförd.
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On October 7 of this year the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe considered a motion, written by a Swedish member
of parliament, that was about alleged conscientious objection and
access to statutory care and treatment in health care. The MP
demanded that conscience-based refusals of legal care should
strongly limited. The proposal based on the motion and presented to
the Council of Europe included a requirement that a register be
established to which health professionals with conscientious
objections would be reported. The bill was aimed specifically at
women's right to reproductive health and in particular the right to
have abortions performed.
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EuroparÃ¥det gick dock emot motionen och i resolutionen som följde
gick man i väsentliga stycken emot motionären och hävdar
vÃ¥rdpersonalens rätt till samvetsfrihet. I resolutionens första
paragraf slås fast att ingen person, sjukhus eller institution ska
tvingas att utföra eller medverka till abort, dödshjälp eller nÃ¥gon
handling som kan orsaka döden för ett mänskligt foster eller embryo.
Vidare säger resolutionen att ingen ska diskrimineras om man vägrar
medverka till något av detta.
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The Council of Europe was, however, against the motion and the
resolution that resulted is one of the essential arguments against
the motion, asserting that health professionals have the right to
freedom of conscience. The resolution's first paragraph states that
no person, hospital or institution shall be required to perform or
assist in abortion, euthanasia, or any act that may cause the death
of a human fetus or embryo. Furthermore, the resolution says that no
one should be discriminated against if they refuse to participate in
any of this.
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I resolutionens fjärde paragraf slås fast att medlemsstaterna
dels ska försäkra tillgÃ¥ng till vÃ¥rd och hälsa, dels upprätthÃ¥lla
respekt för tankefrihet, samvetsfrihet och religionsfrihet för
vÃ¥rdpersonal. Man föreslÃ¥r därför att medlemsstaterna tar fram
sakliga och klara riktlinjer som garanterar samvetsfrihet.
EuroparÃ¥det kan endast ge rekommendationer därför vill jag lyfta
detta i min motion och vill att vi skall få en lagstiftning i
Sverige som garanterar samvetsfrihet och då speciellt inom vården
och högskoleutbildningen.
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The resolution's fourth paragraph states that Member States must
maintain both access to care and health and respect for freedom of
thought, conscience and religion for health professionals. It
therefore proposes that Member States should produce objective and
clear guidelines to ensure freedom of conscience. The Council of
Europe can only make recommendations, for which reason I want to put
this in my motion and seek a law in Sweden which guarantees freedom
of conscience, especially in healthcare and education.
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Till syvende och sist handlar det emellertid inte om att utreda
huruvida Sverige ska ha en samvetsklausul inom sjukvården eller ej.
Frågan är i stället hur Sverige ska tillämpa Europakonventionen, som
redan är en del av svensk lagstiftning. Det bör därför utredas hur
ett införande av samvetsfriheten som en grundläggande mänsklig
rättighet i den svenska regeringsformens rättighetskatalog kan
genomföras. Grundlagens högre rang i det svenska rättssystemet
motiverar denna Ã¥tgärd. Regeringen bör snarast Ã¥terkomma till
riksdagen med ett förslag om hur en samvetsklausul inom sjukvÃ¥rden
och högskoleutbildningen skulle kunna utformas.
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Ultimately, we need not ask whether Sweden should have a
conscience clause in healthcare or not. The question is how Sweden
is to apply the European Convention, which is already a part of
Swedish law. We should therefore examine how the introduction of
freedom of conscience as a basic human right in the Swedish
Instrument of Government of Rights is to be implemented. This is
justified by the constitional precedence of the Swedish legal
system. The Government should return to parliament as soon as
possible with a proposal on how a conscience clause in healthcare
and higher education might be implemented.
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Stockholm
25 oktober 2010
Annelie Enochson (KD)
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Stockholm
25 October 2010
Annelie Enochson (CD)
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Notes
Provided by the Protection of Conscience Project
1. Apparently a reference to the intrauterine device
(IUD).
2. The incident, which became public in February,
2009, occurred Women's Clinic at Mälardalen Hospital in Eskilstuna, Sweden.
A pregnant woman who already had several girls asked her physician for
pre-natal genetic screening. The physician complied, though there was no
medical reason for the screening, and the woman learned that the child she
was carrying was a healthy girl. She promptly had an abortion. Staff at the
hospital did not realize this had happened until the same woman returned,
again pregnant, learned during an ultrasound that the child was a girl, and
again had an abortion. See -
Swedish |
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English |
"Abort upprör personal." Svenska Dagbladet (SvD),16 February,
2009 (Accessed 2011-05-19) |
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"Abortion upsets staff." The Swedish Daily Paper, 16 February,
2009 (Accessed 2011-05-19) |
"Lagarna ses över." Svenska Dagbladet (SvD), 16 February, 2009
(Accessed 2011-05-19) |
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"The laws
to be reviewed." The Swedish Daily Paper, 16 February, 2009
(Accessed 2011-05-19) |
"Gjorde abort - för att hon väntade flickor." Wendela, 16
February, 2009 (Accessed 2011-05-19) |
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"Had
abortion - because she was expecting girls." Wendela, 16
February, 2009 (Accessed 2011-05-19) |
3. The dissertation included, without comment,
opinions that suggest some dissonance in the responses. On the one hand,
both gynecologists and midwives "considered it absolutely right, that Sweden
have legal abortion and that the law was being followed," and most believed
"that women should be allowed to have an abortion even after they had felt
fetal movements." ("Både gynekologer och barnmorskor ansåg att det är
helt rätt att kvinnor i Sverige har lagstadgad rätt till abort och att lagen
används enligt intentionerna. De flesta ansåg också att kvinnor ska få
genomgÃ¥ abort även efter att de känt fosterrörelser.") They had,
according to the dissertation, no "doubts about participating in abortion."
("Ingen av yrkesgrupperna hade emellertid tvekat inför att medverka vid
abort.") However, the dissertation also noted that "[o]ne in four had
had misgivings when involved in surgical and medical abortions, and one in
two with abortions after the 18th week." ("Var fjärde hade känt
samvetsbetänkligheter i samband med kirurgisk och medicinsk abort och
varannan vid abort efter 18:e graviditetsveckan.") This experience may
explain the results of the survey cited by Annelie Enochson:
"Kvinnorna, barnmorskorna och kvinnliga
gynekologer, svarade som grupp ungefär lika på frågan om de borde få
vägra att delta i abort på grund av "personliga skäl". Sextiofyra
procent av männen instämde i att det borde
vara tillåtet och 41- 48 % av kvinnorna (Artikel II, Tabell III och
artikel III,
Tabell III). Skillnaden mellan kvinnliga och manliga gynekologer var
på gränsen till att vara statistiskt signifikant p = 0.06 (II)." |
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"Women, midwives and female
gynecologists, said that group similar to the question whether they
should be allowed to refuse to participate in abortions because of
"personal reasons". Sixty-four percent of men agreed that there
should be permitted, and 41-48% of women (Article II, Table III and
Article III,
Table III). The difference between male and female gynecologists
were at the borderline of being statistically significant P = 0.06
(II)." |
Lindström, Meta,
Gynekologer och barnmorskor inom svensk abortvård- åsikter,
erfarenheter och upplevelser. Umeå Universitet, Medicinska
fakulteten, Klinisk Vetenskap, Obstetrik och Gynekologi, 2007, p.
53. Citing Hammarstedt M, Lalos A, Wulff M.,
A
population-based study of Swedish gynecologists' experiences of
working in abortion care. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand.
2006;85(2):229-35. |
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Lindström, Meta,
Gynecologists and midwives about Swedish abortion care- views,
experiences and perceptions. Umeå University, Faculty of
Medicine, Clinical Science, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2007, p. 53.
Citing Hammarstedt M, Lalos A, Wulff M.,
A
population-based study of Swedish gynecologists' experiences of
working in abortion care. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand.
2006;85(2):229-35. |
4. Conscience Clause in Higher Education: Report of
the Conscience Clause Inquiry.
ISBN 91-38-13710-0 ISBN 91-38-13710-0 Stockholm : Fritze, 1994 Stockholm:
Fritze, 1994 Svenska 157 s. (157, [5] s.) Swedish P. 157 (157, [5] p.)
Serie: Statens offentliga utredningar, 0375-250X ; 1994:84 Series:
Government Official Reports, 0375-250X; 1994:84. [Samvetsklausul
inom högskoleutbildningen : betänkande / av Samvetsklausulutredningen.
Samvetsklausulutredningen. ISBN 91-38-13710-0 Stockholm : Fritze, 1994
Svenska 157 s. (157, [5] s.) Serie: Statens offentliga utredningar,
0375-250X ; 1994:84]
Translated from
"Abort upprör personal." Svenska Dagbladet (SvD),16 February, 2009
(Caution: machine translation)
The Swedish Daily Paper
SvD News
Abortion upsets staff
16 February 2009, 15:04,
Updated 11 maj 2009 22:06
A pregnant woman demanded to know the sex of her fetus. After she learned
that it was a girl she had an abortion. The same thing happened the next
time she became pregnant. Currently, the director of the women's clinic is
seeking the National Board's
guidance as to whether clinic staff can refuse to disclose the sex of the
fetus to mothers.
In a letter to the National Board the clinic director explains what
happened. The woman, who already has several girls, asked for an
amniocentesis for the so-called chromosome study. She stated that she was
worried and wanted even to determine the sex of the fetus. According to the
director, there were no medical reasons for the investigation but the doctor
agreed to do it anyway.
The results showed a normal number of chromosomes and that the child was
a girl. After receiving the news, ​​the patient had an abortion.
After some time the woman became pregnant again and had the same desire.
The examining doctor once again determined that there was no medical reason
for the inquiry. But later a midwife performed an ultrasound on the woman
and was asked about the child's sex. The midwife said it was a girl and the
patient requested a doctor's appointment for the abortion the same day. The
abortion was performed four days later.
The director told for SvD.se that the events aroused strong feelings
among the staff.
- They feel they have been pushed into a corner and participated in an
abortion because the fetus was the "wrong" sex, "he says.
The chief physician points out that the abortion law says that a woman
can request the interruption of a pregnancy before the 18th week.
-I usually do not ask for reasons for abortion, and should not have to do
it either.
According to health care law, people who work in health care are obliged
to inform the patient about their condition. But the chief physician says
this can be interpreted in different ways.
- If it is about disease, you have to inform. But most also answer
questions relating to health care. If you do not know the fetal sex you
cannot answer the question.
Now, the case has landed on the National Board's desk. The staff at the
current women's clinic calls for clinical guidelines that say you should not
need to determine fetal sex unless it is medically justified. The letter to
the National Board said the head of the staff asked for a directive to avoid
getting into a situation where they may feel pressured to examine the fetal
sex during first half of a pregnancy and contribute to an abortion procured
because the the feuts is the "wrong" sex.
- On the other hand, there are private ultrasound clinics, so patients
can learn about it anyway, " he told SvD.se.
The Chief Physician also seeks guidance on whether a health care provider
may challenge a patient's right to abortion.
Translated from
"Lagarna ses över." Svenska Dagbladet (SvD), 16 February, 2009
The Swedish Daily Paper
(Caution: machine assisted translation)
SvD News
The laws to be reviewed
16 february, 2009, 23:26
updated: 16 februari 2009, 23:31
The woman had two abortions, both for the same reason: the fetus was a
girl. The National Board is considering the possibility of limiting tests
used to determine fetal sex. But Social Affairs Göran Hägglund do not think
a change in the law is the solution.
It is terrible to discriminate because of sex, says Göran Hägglund on
what happened on the women's clinic in MÃ Hospital in Eskilstuna.
The pregnant woman, who already had several girls, asked for an
amniocentesis for the so-called chromosome study. She stated that she was
worried and wanted even to determine the sex of the fetus. According to
clinic director Kaj Wedenberg's letter to the government authorities, there
were no medical reasons for the inquiry but the doctor agreed to do it
anyway.
The results showed that the woman was carrying a perfectly healthy baby.
But because it was a girl, she chose to have an abortion.
After some time the woman became pregnant again and had the same desire.
The examining doctor once again determined that there was no medical reason
for the inquiry. But later a midwife performed an ultrasound on the woman
and was asked about the child's sex. The midwife said it was a girl and the
patient requested a doctor's appointment for the abortion the same day. The
abortion was performed four days later.
The events aroused strong feelings among the staff.
- They feel they have been pushed into a corner and participated in an
abortion because the fetus was the "wrong sex", said Kaj Wedenberg,
consultant and operations manager at the clinic.
Now we appeal to the National Board for direction to refuse to disclose
fetal sex to parents.
All women may have an abortion up to gestational week 18. As the abortion
law now stands, one can only deny a woman an abortion if there are medical
risks. Thus, there is now no control over the reasons for abortion.
Thomas Tegenfeldt, deputy director of the National Board Inspection
Department, says it has already started a project to revise the provisions
of the law on genetic integrity passed in 2006.
-Today the legal situation is such that we cannot deny any abortion. But
we have initiated a process where we are now reviewing whether we should be
able to refuse sex determination because it is wanted in cases where it is
not medically justified.
As the rules stand, today can the same woman come back and have a
third abortion because she does not want a girl?
Yes.
But Goran Hagglund believes more in conversation than in trying to
legislate away the problem. If you are denied an abortion requested because
the fetus is the "wrong" sex, he thinks there is a risk that the person will
find a different reason.
-Then the case must be examined by a committee, and I think it would be
extremely difficult to make an impact in the real world.
The staff at Mälardalen Hospital Women's clinic calls for clinical
guidelines that say you should not have to determine fetal sex unless it is
medically justified. The letter to the National Board said the head of the
staff asked for a directive to avoid getting into a situation where they may
feel pressured to examine the fetal sex during first half of a pregnancy and
contribute to abortion performed because the fetus is the "wrong" sex.
-On the other hand, there are private ultrasound clinics so patients can
learn about it anyway," says operations manager.
Neither Thomas Tegenfeldt nor Ulf Högberg, chairman of the Swedish
Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SFOG, which represents the country's
gynecologists, have heard of more cases in Sweden where fetal sex has been a
cause for abortion.
-So far, it is relatively rare in Sweden. Ethically, it would be a very
unfortunate development if we found that women were using prenatal diagnosis
for this purpose," said Ulf Högberg.
There is a lively debate in the U.S. and Europe about the possibility of
sex selection in the course of in vitro fertilization.
-There are private companies in southern European countries where women
go for an abortion. But it is a commercial operation that we in no way
support. We strongly reject this, "said Ulf Högberg.
Translated from
"Gjorde abort
- för att hon väntade flickor." Wendela, 16 February, 2009 (Accessed
2011-05-19)
Wendela
(Caution: machine assisted translation)
16 February, 2009
Had abortion - because she was expecting girls
Twice the woman asked for an abortion - after having been told that the
child she was carrying was a girl.
Now hospital staff want to refuse to investigate fetal sex.
- They were very upset and do not want to get into this situation again,
says chief Kaj Wedenberg.
The woman had several daughters already. When she became pregnant again,
she asked for an amniocentesis for a chromosome study - and also wanted to
know the child's sex. The number of chromosomes was normal, and the child
was a girl. Six days after the woman received the information she had an
abortion.
- No one was able to put it together then," said Kaj Wedenberg, chief
physician at the Women's Clinic at Mälardalen Hospital in Eskilstuna.
But a month later the woman came in again for a screening ultrasound and
was again told that she was expecting a girl.
- The same day she had an abortion. The staff then saw that it was due to
fetal sex and became very upset," said Kaj Wedenberg.
"Unpleasant to participate "
Doctors and midwives at the hospital would now like directives that give
them the right to deny investigations of fetal sex. Kaj Wedenberg has
therefore written to the National Board to know how he should behave.
- In Sweden we have, in principle, free abortions to the 18th week. This
has large popular support and is also strongly supported in health care. We
want to protect this. But people can feel uncomfortable about participating
in this if they personally value gender equality.
Can not deny
Welfare has begun to investigate the case, but would not currently
provide any comment,"said lawyer Kerstin Risshytt. However, the Swedish
Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology ethics states that unwanted sex is not
a ground for abortion.
- All gynecological societies in the world condemn this. It occurs in
India and China. It's about female fetuses and led to major demographic
consequences, says chairman Ulf Hedberg.
Today, doctors cannot refuse to disclose to a woman the sex of her child.
- But we would never go ahead and do prenatal diagnostic testing to find
out the baby's sex if we do not suspect a serious hereditary disease. That
is the catch," he says.
Elin Swedenmark