(no subject)

[felicula]

I think naamah_darling has a good point regarding the availability of birth control and abortion. She is urging women to speak out in this post. I do not consider myself pro-abortion, but I do think that discrimination ultimately rooted in religion does not sit well coming from the medical profession.

Comments

[aquinasprime.livejournal.com]

Maureen,
I have to beg to differ with you on this point. I cannot in good conscience participate in an abortion. I have done so when forced because I could not opt out. I should have the right to opt out of assisting in what I consider murder. How is it discrimination to allow me to follow my own religious beliefs?

[marared.livejournal.com]

If you cannot in good conscience participate in an abortion, then don't take up a profession that might require you to do so. It's not about you, it's about the patient.

[aquinasprime.livejournal.com]

So I can't be an anesthesiologist, a career that makes me happy and fulfills me, because I have a moral objection to an elective procedure. Because let me be perfectly clear, I will participate in medically necessary procedures (including abortions where the mother's life is at stake).

The group that I am joining is evenly split between those who will and those who won't participate, so it affects no one's access.

[marared.livejournal.com]

What if you drank too much one night and had to get your stomach pumped, but the doctor on hand was a Muslim and refused to treat you because of his moral objections to alcohol? You were hired for your medical expertise, not for your morals. You have all the right in the world to believe that abortion is wrong, and I'm cool with that, but you have *no* right to place that belief between a patient and her medical care. If you would withhold your services in the case of an abortion, then yes, I firmly believe you need to find another job.

[aquinasprime.livejournal.com]

Your example is flawed on a basic premise. What you describe is a medically necessary procedure to save a life. I would have no problem participating in an abortion if it was medically necessary (to save the mother's life). I will not, however, participate in an elective abortion.

I got into medicine to help preserve life, not end it.

My other problem is one of numbers - in three years of anesthesia I've done a little over 2000 cases. 2 of those were abortions that I was forced to participate in. So you would have me give up my career because I would rather not do 0.09% of the cases presented to me.

By your logic, a plastic surgeon who doesn't want to do elective cosmetic surgery and only wants to do reconstructive surgery should also find another job.

[blackfelicula.livejournal.com]

I appreciate your respectful disagreement. Shall we agree to disagree?

[aquinasprime.livejournal.com]

Absolutely.