The World Medical Association (WMA) has voted to change its International Code of Medical Ethics to protect the conscience rights of those in the medical field who oppose performing and even referring patients for services they oppose.
"No physician should be forced to participate in euthanasia or assisted suicide, nor should any physician be obliged to make referral decisions to this end," the current policy states.
Live Action News reports that "principled conscientious objection for healthcare workers has been facing threats around the world, as some bioethicists have come out against doctors' ability to refuse to participate in euthanasia or abortion for ethical reasons," and Dr. Jeff Barrows of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA) says that includes America.
"We are in several battles with our members and other conscientious healthcare professionals being put into positions where they are being mandated to make an effective referral for things like abortion or assisted suicide," he tells AFN. "So the battle rages."
CMDA and Alliance Defending Freedom's challenge against California's requirement that doctors violate their conscience is an example of that.
"We also joined a case in New Mexico with a similar type of situation where the state of New Mexico passed an End-of-Life Options Act, and they are again forcing our members to engage in effective referral if they have a conscientious objection to assisted suicide," Dr. Barrows relays.
In contrast to the WMA's recent vote, the Biden administration wants to change healthcare rules to limit doctors' conscience rights nationwide.
