Abortion

[Truth_Faith13]

I know that the Church believes in the sanctity of Human Life therefore Abortion is generally not accepted by the Church. However my question is in regards to the medical profession.

If you had a Church member who was a doctor with a patient who wanted an abortion, what should he/she do?

- If they performed the abortion is this still considered a sin?
- What about if they referred the patient to another consultant, after all they are still in a sense "arranging" for the abortion

In the eyes of the Church, what should the member do?

I am asking this as I am hoping to become a Doctor and I am working through some ethical issues I may come across in interview.

Thanks in advance

 

[Orontes]

I know that the Church believes in the sanctity of Human Life therefore Abortion is generally not accepted by the Church. However my question is in regards to the medical profession.

If you had a Church member who was a doctor with a patient who wanted an abortion, what should he/she do?

- If they performed the abortion is this still considered a sin?
- What about if they referred the patient to another consultant, after all they are still in a sense "arranging" for the abortion

In the eyes of the Church, what should the member do?

I am asking this as I am hoping to become a Doctor and I am working through some ethical issues I may come across in interview.

Thanks in advance

Hello,

Your question has at least two components: legal and moral. If one has taken the stance action X is immoral, then any facilitation of that X would be a wrong. Therefore, the actions of the medical practitioner who is personally opposed to abortion but nonetheless performs them is indistinguishable from the action of the medical practitioner who is an advocate.

Legally speaking: in the U.S. your question turns on the law for a particular locale, different states have different laws on abortion. In some states a medical practitioner cannot refuse to treat a patient for a legally sanctioned procedure. Neither right of conscience objections or even referrals to another practitioner are allowed/recognized.


Of course, medicine has more than one specialty.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

Thanks for answering the question for me!

I dont suppose you know what the Law is in the UK? (suppose I best go and do some research...!!)

 

[Orontes]

Thanks for answering the question for me!

I dont suppose you know what the Law is in the UK? (suppose I best go and do some research...!!)

No, sorry I don't know.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

Thanks I found it..in the UK the law is as follows (in case anyone is interested...)

"The law says that no doctor or nurse must help with an abortion if he/she has a moral objection to the procedure. A lot of people have strong personal feelings about certain issues and doctors are among many who feel abortion is wrong. If your doctor is unhelpful and not sympathetic with your request for an abortion, you can ask to be referred to another doctor who is willing to give advice and help."

It was quite interesting though, as the source I found this also states the reasons which the patient must have before having an abortion...

"

• <LI class=txt12black>The woman's life is at greater risk by continuing the pregnancy than terminating it. <LI class=txt12black>The termination is necessary to prevent permanent injury to the woman's physical or mental health. <LI class=txt12black>There is a reasonable risk that if the child were born it would suffer from serious physical or mental handicaps.
• There is a reasonable risk that if the child were born, any existing children the woman has are more likely to suffer injury to their physical or mental health. "

</SPAN>There is not one mention of social or economic reasons, yet so many doctors do perform them for these reasons. It does say in the source that may doctors use their own personal ides of abortion and can take social and economic reasons into account..but its not actually in the law...

 

[Arkholt]

Wow. I would never have guessed that. Seems the US is a bit more liberal in that area than the UK, at least as far as the law is concerned. Who knows how many people actually follow it to the letter, but if you have trouble there's at least something you can hold up as a legal reason for not doing it.