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I believe it
was Charles 11 who when asked whom he trusted most in his kingdom
replied; "my barber, because he has a knife at my throat
every morning." Those who are given such power over another's
life must first be trustworthy. That is why for 2500 years doctors
have sworn to uphold essential principles, the most important
of which is, in simple language: "I will not kill anyone."
How tragic then that official guidance from the General Medical
Council should suggest that this is not a universal principle,
even for doctors. How right that Leslie Burke should want the
GMC guidance changed, to be assured that his life will not be
cut short by doctors. Did David Glass' doctors override his mother's
firm refusal of consent to administer diamorphine to her disabled
son, to save his life? - Clearly not. Dr Keith Andrews, Director
of one of the country's foremost neuro-disability centres, speaking
at an international congress in Rome, accepted the Airedale v.
Bland decision to dehydrate and starve to death living patients
in PVS. Rev. Joanna Jepson has to challenge the legality of late
abortion for minor disability. Is not the greatest scandal of
our time that a member of the medical profession should ever kill
any child at whatever stage of life or degree of ability?
We note in the USA, the people supporting "Terri's
Law" reacting against doctors denying sustenance to cognitively
disabled people. Norma McCorvey alias "Jane Roe" is
campaigning to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision in the US, and
we learn that Sandra Cano alias "Mary Doe" also attacked
the Doe v. Bolton decision. The reaction will come, yet at present
in this country the Joffe Bill which seeks to allow "medical
(sic) assistance to die" has been granted a select committee
inquiry by the House of Lords.
The law is indeed a blunt instrument, and what
fools are doctors who imagine that sheltering behind it can justify
actions, which infringe the ethics of their profession. The case
of R v. Bourne in 1939 was to abortion what Airedale v. Bland
is to euthanasia. Mr Alec Bourne later regretted his part in opening
the floodgates to abortion and campaigned against the 1967 Abortion
Act. We venture to hope that Tony Bland's doctors regret what
they helped to start.
A doctor's duty is to maintain health and prevent,
alleviate or cure disease as far as he can, but above all, to
care. Every patient is equally important regardless of size or
shape, social position, colour, creed, politics or ability, but
we should seek to serve especially the most vulnerable, the most
deprived; the most severely disabled, the most seriously ill,
those who suffer most, and those who are nearest to death. The
medical profession does exist, but GMC registration is no longer
sufficient identification. Doctors have to be guided by authority
above that of lawyers and politicians, and be conscientious and
open. That is why in the present state of ethical confusion, "Doctors
who Respect Human Life" is vital.
M B Howitt Wilson 9th May 2004
IN BRIEF: Shipman Enquiry set to rebuke GMC. Illegal organ trade in Moscow. Partial birth abortion still defended in US courts. Unborn victims of Violence Act passed. Portugal rejects abortion law. Majority of Americans Pro-life (Poll), UK teenagers say "too many abortions". Russia restricts late abortions. German doctor suspected of killing 250. Palliative Care doctors oppose euthanasia.
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