The Medical Profession and the Abortion Controversy
A 1974 study in America, reported that ?almost all professionals involved in abortion work, reacted with more or less negative feelings.'
- Staff find that they cannot cope with prostaglandin abortions, particularly when done for "non-medical reasons."
- The Abortion Supervisory Committee admitted to continuing
concerns about workforce recruitment and retention.
- Abortion is surgically unchallenging work that hardly fits within the classic bounds and aspirations of young physicians in training.
- ?As the pregnancy advances, the idea of abortion becomes more and more repugnant to a lot of people, medical personnel included'
- British medical schools have started to restrict the number of Muslim students,
because they refuse to learn about abortion.
Dr M.G.Laney, Clinical Director of Gynaecology Services at Christchurch Women's Hospital, sent a letter dated 10th May, 2001, to Christchurch and Canterbury GPs, advising of problems with late referrals:
"A higher than acceptable percentage of patients are being referred late, when the pregnancy is quite advanced. These women are more difficult to operate on, and some are too advanced and require prostaglandin termination of pregnancy (PGTOPS). This is an unpleasant procedure for staff and patients alike.
"As a result of the increased number of PGTOPS that we are being asked to carry out, we are losing competent and highly regarded nursing staff. They find that they cannot cope with these PGTOPS, particularly when done for non-medical reasons."
The Abortion Supervisory Committee's Report for 2003, admitted to continuing concerns about workforce recruitment and retention.
Why doctors are moving away from abortion
In the United States, most of the abortionists are reaching retirement age and there is concern among providers about the emerging shortage of younger doctors prepared to be involved.Discomfort with abortion clients or procedures, was reported by practitioners who strongly supported rights and expressed strong commitment to their work.
The Times (17 February, 2003) reported that British medical schools have started to restrict the number of Muslim students, because they refuse to learn about abortion. The proportion of medical students from ethnic minorities had risen from 10% to 33% over the last 20 years. The Council of Heads of Medical Schools expressed concern that tutors are unable to teach the full syllabus because Muslim students refuse to participate in certain courses that run counter to their faith.
Many Muslim and Christian hold to the principles of the Hippocratic Oath and the 1948 Declaration of Geneva, which forbid abortion. It appears this may work against them in 21st century Britain.
At a June 2001 conference in Rome, Dr T. Everett Julyan of Glasgow, stated:
"In March 2000, I was interviewed for an O&G training post. When the interview panel learned that I was unwilling to perform abortions, and also prepare women for them, I was denied a job, solely on that basis.
"Discrimination against those who refuse to end human life as part of their job description, serves neither doctors nor patients and is a symptom of a relativist view of medical ethics. Its detrimental effects are far-reaching, affecting individuals, the medical profession and society in general"
The case for discrimination
When O&Gs and nurses chose to opt out on the grounds of conscience, the workload is increased for the other staff. |
New York's Mayor makes abortion training mandatory
In June 2002, New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a financial contributor to the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), alarmed by evidence that medical students were choosing not to take abortion as an elective, required mandatory training in abortion techniques at New York City public hospitals.
Read Full Article