Conscientious Objection in Medicine
The Right of the Medical Professional or Withholding Due Care?
Abstract
https://doi.org/10.21860/j.12.1.2
Conscientious objection in medicine has been increasingly problematized in the recent public and academic debates. Using the philosophical, medical, and legal analysis, the article addresses the issue of objection of conscience in medicine in relation to the due care that the doctor is obliged to provide to the patient. Due to the broad nature of the topic, the article focuses on the issue of the relationship between conscientious objection and access to legal abortion. It specifically examines whether performing abortions falls within the professional duties of a physician and whether objection of conscience is an obstacle to the highest standard of health care services. The article also analyses what are the obligations under international law for the States to ensure access to legal abortion. Finally, conclusions are drawn that should inform the regulation of conscientious objection.
Keywords: conscientious objection, access to abortion, freedom of conscience, medical care, medical services.
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