Haaretz reports that psychiatric drugs are being prescribed to members of the ultra-orthodox Jewish Haredi community to suppress sexual urges and help them to conform to religious prohibitions against masturbation, homosexual conduct and frequent sexual relations. A posting on the Practical Ethics blog of Oxford University asks whether or not psychiatrists may, for reasons of conscience, refuse to prescribe drugs for this reason. The writer, quoting Julian Salvulescu’s denunciation of freedom of conscience in health care, reasons “a psychiatrist has no ground for conscientious objection and should provide the treatment to Haredim,” but ultimately concludes that this seems “intuitively incorrect.”
Category: News
Human eggs grown from stem cells to be used to produce embryos
It is reported that, within a few weeks, researchers from Edinburgh University will request a license from Britain’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to fertilize human eggs produced from stem cells isolated in ovarian tissue. The ultimate goal is to produce an unlimited supply of human eggs for artificial reproduction and research, and, perhaps, to provide a way to treat older women to prevent health problems related to menopause. However, the immediate purpose is to demonstrate that the eggs grown in the laboratory can be used to produce human embryos. Embryos produced in the initial experiment will be studied for up to 14 days and then destroyed or frozen. [The Independent] While researchers clearly are protected by a protection of conscience provision in the Human Fertilization and Embryology Act, a recent court decision suggests that the law may not protect physicians and others who may be asked to facilitate procedures and services that may ultimately be derived from this research.
Freedom of conscience frightens Premier of Alberta
Progressive Conservative Premier Alison Redford of Alberta states that she is “very frightened” by support for freedom of conscience expressed by the leader of the Wildrose Party, her principal opponent in the current provincial election campaign. The Wildrose Party is officially committed to protection of conscience legislation for health care workers. Danielle Smith, party leader, recently stated that she would apply the same principle to marriage commissioners who object to performing marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples. Smith’s comments have drawn strident denunciations, equating the exercise of freedom of conscience with discrimination and hate-mongering. [Canadian Press] [Project letter to Calgary Herald]
Catholic universities in U.S. split on contraception
The confrontation between the Catholic Church and the federal government in the United States on the subject of compulsory health insurance for contraceptives, surgical sterilization and embryocidal drugs and devices has exposed significant disunity among identifiably Catholic universities on the subject of contraception. Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, founded by the Jesuits, will end birth control coverage for employees in July. The announcement has caused controversy on campus. Contraceptive coverage continues to be provided by prominent Catholic universities like Georgetown, DePaul and Fordham. [Reuters] Belmont Abbey, which is suing the U.S. federal government because of the ‘preventive services mandate,’ provided contraceptive coverage for students until 2007. [Gaston Gazette]
Canadian hospice association rejects participation in euthanasia
The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association has lauded recommendations for the improvement of palliative care contained in a report from the Quebec Comission on Dying with Dignity. However, it states that euthanasia and assisted suicide should not be part of palliative or hospice care, and that hospice and palliative care workers should not be expected to participate in such practices if they are legalized. [News Release]