Refusing treatment due to moral beliefs

[Tipsy]

There's a case in California where a doctor refused to artificially inseminate a lesbian couple because of his moral beliefs (Link). Apparently more and more doctors are refusing to service people because of their moral beliefs (everything from this to blood transfusions). Quite simply, the question is should doctors be able to refuse treatments they are morally opposed to?

Personally, if the doctor is in private practice and it isn't a life or death situation, I think the doctor should be able to.

[Lizardbreath]

If a doctor refused to treat me because of his moral beliefs I would tell him I am taking myself to a different practice.

[Roach Of Discord]

Private practice..I guess it's okay..but the idea of it bothers me. What if their morals were against fat people, or ugly people..or black people? I'd hate to think that people could legally be turned down because of something like that.

So, I guess personally, if what the people are doing is legal..I think they should be able to get treatment. I think *moral beliefs* really shouldn't play into treating people anyway.

[Jimbo]

If restaurants, stores, etc can choose to not serve people.. Doctors should be able to not treat people..

It's not like theres only one doctor in the hostpitals.. But as roach said, it could get out of hand.

[Roach Of Discord]

Can stores actually do that though? Like say "sorry blacky, we don't allow your kind in this store!1". I'm pretty sure they can't..but I could be wrong.

[Bret]

I believe if its a LIFE or DEATH situation everyone should be treated. As for getting pregnant. That's not a "i'm hurt help me" that's a "I want babies"

There was no harm done except pisses off two people.

@ Roach

I think they can refuse service to anyone. And when they do refuse service its because they feel unsafe, and or the person is usually causing a scene. But then of course everyone plays the racist card. Its the most popular card in the deck of life.

[Laharl]

Stores can reject anyone's business for any reason. They don't even need to give one.

But doing so is bad for business.

[Wing Zero]

i thought doctors are suppose to be neutral. or am i brainwashed to think that way

[Tipsy]

Originally Posted by Roach Of Discord

Private practice..I guess it's okay..but the idea of it bothers me. What if their morals were against fat people, or ugly people..or black people? I'd hate to think that people could legally be turned down because of something like that.

My argument against that would be that the democracy of capitalism would prevail. In a capitalistic society, people have the power to put their money where they want and can pressure the public against a business. Take Don Imus for example, he was the guy who got kicked off the air due to public pressure because he called a bunch of black basketball players "nappy headed hoes." He did nothing illegal, yet capitalism allows for organizations to pressure him, his business, his parent company, and everything else. If a doctor refused to treat someone because he was black, how long do you think it would take for Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, the NAACP, and their buddies to jump on it? And it's going to be like that for every minority group. As for myself, being in the majority that could probably be discriminated against with little action compared to minorities if what I want is implemented, I can live with that knowing that everyone in this country has that much more private property rights - it's a cause worth losing something for.

It's more than a matter of freedom of religion, but a matter of property rights. If someone owns a business, has a private contract with their employer, or something of the sort, they should be able to choose whoever they want to serve or not.

[DwightSchrute]

isn't artificial insemination merely a cosmetic and not treatment? by cosmetic i mean it isn't an ailment. Is not having a kid crippling a persons life? of course not. i think the lesbians trying to get pregnant is much similar to a woman having her breasts enlarge or a person receiving any kind of surgery. Is it a right for her to want to get pregnant? duh, however it isn't life threatening surgery and i do think a doctor in such a situation should have the right to refuse service based on his or her moral belief.

[Гражданин СССР]

Originally Posted by Roach Of Discord

Can stores actually do that though? Like say "sorry blacky, we don't allow your kind in this store!1". I'm pretty sure they can't..but I could be wrong.

Well yeah they do reserve the right to deny service however if they do so on a racial basis you can bet there will be a lawsuit. Now say restaurants don't let you in unless you have a shirt and shoes on, thats more of a proper example.

[Lilu]

ahh choice, gotta love it!
if the doc chooses not to treat, then the patient can choose to go somewhere else.
problem solved..

[Krovvy]

Life or death it would be wrong, but the doctor should have a choice.

[Commander Flash]

it would piss me off, but the truth is that a company can deny you for any reason, at any time, without explanation....walmart does it all the time!

[Emperor Pan I]

Artificial insemination isnèt a n operating table doctor walks out type choice going on. It isnèt life or death. You shouldnt have to force a doctor to artificially inseminate if he doesnèt feel comfortable doing it, just like you wouldnèt expect a doctor to be forced to perform an abortion if it was legal.

[Sakuhta]

Originally Posted by Roach Of Discord

Can stores actually do that though? Like say "sorry blacky, we don't allow your kind in this store!1". I'm pretty sure they can't..but I could be wrong.

You are right. Any private organization CAN deny service for any reason EXCEPT race, sex, or religion.

As much as I disagree with denying people any treatment whatsoever, it really is the doctor's right to perform only the services he wants to, as long as he isn't endangering a persons health by not giving treatment.

You run into seemingly unrelated issues by denying people basic service though, even cosmetic surgery. If someones HMO denies them service, or even one of the many doctors covered by a PPO, that person could turn to less safe illegal forms of getting the treatment / surgery that they want, as we've seen with black market abortions or cosmetic surgery such as cheaply done stomach staples.

I think it is always in a doctors best moral interest to give whatever treatment is asked of him as long is it will not endanger the health of the patient.

[x42bn6]

I think it's a good idea, actually. If they are going to do it against their beliefs, whether religious, moral or immoral, it is likely to make them feel uncomfortable. And for things like medical advice, I'd hardly want someone who is uncomfortable working on me (although obviously will be the case with artificial insemination...).

That said, I'd hope doctors would provide other avenues for people if they cannot do something - such as a contact who will do the job, or contact details of an organisation who can help them.*

[Sakuhta]

I disagree, I don't think being uncomfortable would effect a doctors work whatsoever, doctors are trained professionals who can perform things like open heart surgery and brain surgery with a patient who's awake, they are trained to deal with things like personal nerves, they're almost always 'uncomfortable' in a sense, they have a person cut open in front of them.

[Commander Flash]

who says having a live human being cut open in front of you, with their life in your hands would make you feel comfortable? it surely wouldn't make me uncomfortable

[Sakuhta]

Originally Posted by FlashFLores

who says having a live human being cut open in front of you, with their life in your hands would make you feel comfortable? it surely wouldn't make me uncomfortable

Um... What?