Ethical Issues

Since the time of Hippocrates, a fundamental tenet of medical ethics, a cornerstone of professionalism, and an expectation of the public, has been that those who profess to accept the responsibilities of providing healthcare do not deliberately kill their patients. This commitment, coupled with the other virtues of the healing arts, has allowed society to trust and empower healthcare professionals with unique and tremendous yet restricted freedoms, expecting that those professionals would use those freedoms to pursue the best interests of their patients and the public health.

The active termination of pregnancy has existed since 1550 BC, with the first documented abortion occurring in Egypt. The School of Hippocrates included the following prohibition against abortion in the oath named for him in approximately 400 BC: “I will not give to a woman a pessary to cause abortion.” The attitude toward abortion throughout its 3500-year history has varied from general acceptance to criminalization of the act, including the death penalty in certain circumstances.

There is no question that gender issues are complex, especially in today’s culture. However, healthcare professionals are committed to caring for all patients with dignity and respect. Protecting the freedom of healthcare professionals to exercise medical judgment and conscience convictions is essential to providing the best and safest care for patients, especially when it comes to gender issues.