Christian Medial Fellowship
Printed from: https://archive.cmf.org.uk/resources/publications/content/?context=article&id=26876
close
CMF on Facebook CMF on Twitter CMF on YouTube RSS Get in Touch with CMF
menu resources
ss triple helix - Winter 2018,  World Medical Association under pressure: moves to weaken ethical stance challenged by Christian doctors

World Medical Association under pressure: moves to weaken ethical stance challenged by Christian doctors

When the World Medical Association (WMA) was formed in the 1940s, it was as an ethical bulwark against the extremes of Nazi medicine. It has subsequently maintained a strong support for freedom of conscience and active opposition to euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. (1)

However, at the WMA General Assembly in early October in Reykjavik, two motions were put forward that challenged this. The first was a move to effectively weaken its stance on conscientious objection to abortion by changing some key wording in its statement on abortion. (2) The second was a move brought forward by the Canadian and Royal Dutch Medical Associations (CMA and RDMA) to remove its opposition to assisted dying. (3)

The former came as part of a routine re-evaluation of its position statement, and was challenged by CMF's global umbrella body, the International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA) in an open letter calling on the General Assembly to not loosen its wording around protection of conscience. (4) Sadly, the clause was amended as originally proposed. (5)

However, in a strange turnaround of events, the CMA withdrew its proposal on assisted dying, and then resigned its membership of the WMA, citing the apparent plagiarism of large sections of the new Director General's acceptance speech to the General Assembly. (6) In the meantime, the German delegation offered a 'compromise' resolution, which was roundly opposed, but is to be further considered by the WMA in spring 2019. (7)

So, while freedom of conscience has yet again been subtly eroded, for now at least the global medical community has not weakened its opposition to all forms of euthanasia.

Review by Steve Fouch, CMF Head of Communications

References
  1. What is the WMA? bit.ly/2JmVd88
  2. Bauer N. World Medical Association considering policy revisions that would force doctors to perform abortions against their will. European Centre for Law and Justice. May 2018 bit.ly/2JoduBP
  3. Schadenberg A. Canada, Netherlands hope to mainstream euthanasia with appeals to World Medical Assn. Lifesite News 10 September 2018 bit.ly/2JnXWOO
  4. Fouch S. Christian doctors unite worldwide to challenge WMA on conscience rights. CMF Blogs 14 September 2018 bit.ly/2JnYgx0
  5. Clause 8, WMA Statement on Medically Induced Abortion. 9 October 2018 bit.ly/2JpwL66
  6. Komrad MS. Euthanasia Versus Plagiarism: A Strange International Drama. Psychiatric Times 10 October 2018 bit.ly/2Jo9rWo
  7. Komrad MS. Ibid
Christian Medical Fellowship:
uniting & equipping Christian doctors & nurses
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instgram
Contact Phone020 7234 9660
Contact Address6 Marshalsea Road, London SE1 1HL
© 2024 Christian Medical Fellowship. A company limited by guarantee.
Registered in England no. 6949436. Registered Charity no. 1131658.
Design: S2 Design & Advertising Ltd   
Technical: ctrlcube