Pediatrician Refuses Treatment of Baby of Lesbian Parents

[Creed of Heresy]

[C4RM5]

Abaris, I don't think you get what I mean. I'll give an example, I believe a theist you hsve the right to not be forced to make a website promoting evolution. The same way I think an atheist shouldn't have to be forced to make a website promoting creationism.

It isn't the person but rather the thing theybwant made.

[Dystopia]

Total bullshit. Belief as the killer argument opens all kinds of doors to get away with unethical and despicable behavior. If you don't want to treat some people because of your belief system, you should make that decision before going to med school and enter in a profession that is rightfully held to the most serious ethical standards.

I disagree - The fact you are able to refuse treatment in some circumstances does not validate that you can refuse it in all circumstances - I don't think we are legally entitled to say "hey religious future docs, we don't need you"; in fact we can use as many doctors as possible and if they are religious so be it - Conscious objection is a right in most of the western world and there's no reason to not allow it. My criteria as a law student is that if no one's life is threatened and there's someone else to perform the medical procedure there's no reason to flash away people's rights. I know this is hard to grasp as atheist but impartiality is a good trait to have - I too feel compelled to say "hey - Don't want this then don't become doctors" - But I know that someone's skills are not dependent on the fact that they approve or not a single procedure and we live in a pluralistic society after all

---

Indeed. I have no problem with doctors choosing specialities which fit their preferences (e.g. 'I don't agree with abortions therefore I'm going to work in a different area of medicine'); I also have no problem with doctors witholding their services in specific cases but only for certain reasons (e.g. suffering threats of violence from a drunk patient). I find that this case fits none of those criteria as the doctor was already a paediatrician and the patient was doing nothing wrong. She had a medical & professional responsibility (if not obligation) to treat the child. Her actions were simply unprofessional. In the UK, a complaints tribunal could impose sanctions ranging from temporary suspension all the way up to being permanently struck off. I'm amazed that anyone would even try to defend her actions.

Again I disagree, I don't think doctors who are not keen on performing abortions should simply not pursue their speciality - What if they are indeed skilful? Should we just waste potential? There's lots of doctors in the world - IF there's someone to perform abortions we can simply create an area in hospitals for that purpose with doctors who are fine with it.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Exchanging of goods and services is as natural to human beings as breathing.  It is a fundamental right as far as I am concerned.

The law of land disagrees with you; businesses must apply for permits and satisfy conditions laid down by law in order to conduct business. If you don't like the law of the land, either change it, or move to Absurdistan where you belong.


 

Bigotry is intolerance of other peoples views/behavior.  Your desire to forbid people who don't behave the way you want them too from engaging in the exchange of goods and services demonstrates that it is you who is the bigot.

You're wrong about this, too. I don't want to forbid them from engaging in business. I want them to follow applicable laws as they conduct their business. And if the doctor practices bigotry along with medicine, protesting outside his clinic is an acceptable form of commentary.

 

Quite honestly.....you are also a hypocrite.

Quite honestly, you're an idiot who doesn't understand the point being made, as this quote reveals.

As far as books go, for someone like me, there's audio books......which I can listen too all day long.

At least you're working on your attention span.  Do everyone here a favor and make your next goal improve my English comprehension.

That's what happens when you call a cabal of douchebags out for their douchebaggery.

So, you were saying something about hypocrisy ... mirror much?

[Ben Davis]

Again I disagree, I don't think doctors who are not keen on performing abortions should simply not pursue their speciality - What if they are indeed skilful? Should we just waste potential? There's lots of doctors in the world - IF there's someone to perform abortions we can simply create an area in hospitals for that purpose with doctors who are fine with it.

Thinking about it, how likely is it that someone who dislikes/opposes abortion would work as an OB/GYN surgeon since abortion is a critical component of their skill set? It's possible to be OB/GYN in non-surgical roles therefore never having to perform abortions, so I could imagine that happening but for an anti-abortionist to be an OB/GYN surgeon?

But instead of going down that rabbit hole, let's get back to your point: no, of course I wouldn't want to limit people's opportunity to practice their skills, unnecessarily but sometimes that's what has to happen. Here's an analogy: a person is a crack shot on a shooting range but opposed to killing. Why shouldn't we let them be a sniper? Because their values would interfere with the proper execution of their duties.

[Thumpalumpacus]

 You want to use the force of law to make others behave as you think they should be have for no good reason other than that is what you think is just and proper.

Wrong. The good reason is for social cohesion, not personal values. A society that permits bigotry to flourish is less stable and more likely to cleave upon fissures.
You really should start thinking your way through this discussion rather than shitposting kneejerk pseudo-libertarian claptrap.

[Aractus]

Can I just say the thread title is very misleading.

The patient received treatment from another paediatrician at the same clinic, so as far as I can tell there was no refusal of service whatsoever. If the clinic itself turned away a patient that would be another matter entirely.

[Heywood]

..... in fact we can  use as many doctors as possible and if they are religious so be it......

The job of health care provider is starting to be handled by robots/software. Soon every smart phone will be a doctor you can consult.

[Mothonis]

Can I just say the thread title is very misleading.

The patient received treatment from another paediatrician at the same clinic, so as far as I can tell there was no refusal of service whatsoever. If the clinic itself turned away a patient that would be another matter entirely.

ObJECTION!!

It clearly says "Pediatrician" refering to that individual.