Preach it, brother

[unixronin]

Ken Kipnis, a philosophy professor at the University of Hawaii at Manao, discussing medical professionals who refuse to treat patients or perform abortions on religious grounds:

"If your religious orientation is such that you can't discharge your responsibilities, you should find other work."

(New Scientist)

Comments

[ilcylic.livejournal.com]

I agree that people who feel such religious motivations shouldn't go to work in an abortion clinic, but claiming that no-one who feels that abortion is wrong should become a doctor is utter nonsense.

-Ogre

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

I don't think he said that. I think he was saying more the former than the latter. On the other hand, a doctor refusing to treat someone who has AIDS because it means the patient Must Be A Sinner™ is reprehensible, not to mention that it violates the precepts of the religion whose beliefs the doctor claims to follow.

[ithildae.livejournal.com]

More importantly, it violates the oath taken as a physician. If you cannot take that oath, you should not undertake to practice medicine.