Response to: 'Why medical professionals have no moral claim to conscientious objection accommodation in liberal democracies' by Schuklenk and Smalling.
The recent essay by Schuklenk and Smalling opposing respect for physicians' conscientious objections to providing patients with medical services that are legally permitted in liberal democracies is based on several erroneous assumptions. Acting in this manner would have serious harmful effects on the ethos of medicine and of bioethics. A much more nuanced and balanced position is critical in order to respect physicians' conscience with minimal damage to patients' rights.
Jakobovits Center for Jewish Medical Ethics, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Shimon M
SM
Glick
BGU, Beersheva, Israel.
Alan
A
Jotkowitz
D003242:Conscience; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D003709:Democracy; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D006801:Humans; D028681:Moral Obligations; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000941:ethics; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010820:Physicians / Q000941:ethics*; D011057:Politics; D000068616:Professionalism / Q000941:ethics; D016079:Refusal to Treat / Q000941:ethics*
Applied and Professional Ethics; Autonomy; Conscientious Objection; Patient perspective