One of the interesting ethical questions of late is whether doctors should be able to refuse treatments and pharmacists medication based on their moral or religious code.
This issue in the US, not surprisingly, is usually framed around issues relating to abortion. This fascinating piece from Radio Netherlands Worldwide shows that this issue is far broader than simply abortion rights vs anti-abortion. It's very much worth a listen.
I'd also be interested in what readers think.
Should doctors, nurses and others who give treatment be able to refuse certain practices based on their moral or religious code?
Should pharmacists be able to refuse to dispense medication for the same reason?
The debate is usually framed as Christian medical professionals being forced to do things their religion objects to. But I'd like to turn that on its head. If your answer was yes, would your position be affected by any of the following hypothetical situations?
-A Muslim EMT arriving the site of a car crash, sees that the seriously injured victim is wearing a cross necklace and deciding it's against his beliefs to treat the victim;
-A rape victim getting a doctor who refuses to treat her because he believes her scantily clad dress and drunk state was immoral and that thus she was at fault for her situation;
-A gynecologist so strongly opposed to teen pregnancy that s/he won't treat a pregnant teenager unless the girl agrees to have an abortion.
Please leave your thoughts on these issues.
1 comment:
The employer, particularly if it's a private sector job, sets the terms of employment, and the potential employee should make any objections public before they go out on the job. Abide by the terms, or face dismissal. In a worst case scenario, if x area has more than one doctor, another medical professional can take your case if the first one refuses.
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