
Originally Posted by
RDJ
For example, consider the abortion law in New Zealand. (Please note, this analogy is not a comment in any way about the desirability or undesirability of abortions being legally available in New Zealand).
The law currently states, if a doctor refuses to refer you to an abortion provider because they don't "believe" in abortion or have a "conscientious objection", then they have a legal obligation to refer you to another doctor who will. In other words, if you go to see a doctor wanting an abortion, that doctor is obliged to facilitate your request and "make it happen".
The doctor's views on abortion are therefore considered to be irrelevant and he or she is compelled to provide the service. This element of compulsion allows no room for personal ethics.
If a similar statute was to be placed on the law books, that a doctor was legally obliged, under threat of legal sanction, to administer a dose of a drug that would result in euthanasia, this should be equally morally repugnant even to those who support euthanasia. If it is not morally repugnant, then I am afraid we have no common ground for discussion.
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