Doctors acting like zealots
08:25, 29 Sep 2007
Apparently new guidelines have been approved in the uk that allow Doctors to opt out three procedure areas. Abortions, Contraceptive Services and Withdrawing life sustaining treatment.
While initially i might have supported the later i have since changed my mind.
A Doctor is someone with inordinate levels of knowledge and ability trusted to help people in the comunity. It is unreasonable for them to force their backwards views on others.
Abortion may be viewed as wrong by some, but the vast majority have accepted it is a fundamental right of a woman to have control over her uterus.
Contraception should never be refused when asked for. There is no civilised justification for withholding contraception.
The ultimate duty of a doctor is to respect a patient's wishes and this includes ending treatment when asked by the patient.
Each of these functions are within the purview of a Doctor's profession. I'm not asking Doctors to perform euthanasia, but i expect them to treat religion as is accepted in the UK, you leave it outside your office and act professionally.
If a doctor does not wish to act like a doctor, then they should not be a doctor.
We should not adjust our practices because of backwards and unethical views promoted by zealots.
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