Printed from: https://archive.cmf.org.uk/news/?id=187
Three weeks after the BMA ARM, BMA News (Saturday July 24 2010, p8) carried a letter about the homosexuality debate on Motion 460. There was an interesting response from the BMA ethics department:
No role for gay cures in NHS
The fact that so many doctors at the BMA annual representative meeting did not back a call for the Royal College of Psychiatrists and other mental health standard-setting bodies to repudiate 'gay cure' treatments indicates the urgent need for education in this field among doctors in the UK ('”Gay cures” condemned', BMA News online, July 1, 2010). It is appalling that members of the public might go to qualified doctors in the UK and still be told that gay cures might work. Simon Pickstone-Taylor MB ChB, London
The BMA ethics department responds: This is obviously a complex, sensitive and contentious issue. It is important to be clear, however, that those opposing the motion were not thereby in favour of conversion therapy for homosexuality. Concerns were expressed about the drafting of the motion, the uncertainty of the evidence base, and the impact of the motion as worded on the provision of counselling and therapy for victims of same-sex sexual assault and those experiencing real personal conflict over their sexual feelings.
Steven Fouch (CMF Head of Communications) 020 7234 9668
Alistair Thompson on 07970 162 225
Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) was founded in 1949 and is an interdenominational organisation with over 5,000 doctors, 900medical and nursing students and 300 nurses and midwives as members in all branches of medicine, nursing and midwifery. A registered charity, it is linked to over 100 similar bodies in other countries throughout the world.
CMF exists to unite Christian healthcare professionals to pursue the highest ethical standards in Christian and professional life and to increase faith in Christ and acceptance of his ethical teaching.
