I sometimes draw parallels between big, important things and small, inconsequential things, in the hopes that an examination of the small thing will help facilitate an understanding of the big thing. Thus, if a doctor is allowed to refuse to do cosmetic surgery, why should he not be allowed to refuse to do (say) heart surgery, or brain surgery, or abortions?
Also, I think you may be making an assumption here that any doctor who chooses not to perform abortions, will necessarily refuse to do it in all circumstances. As far as I can see, the legislation merely gives the doctor the choice of saying "no" -- but he can still say "yes" if he decides that the situation calls for it. I know at least one pro-lifer who has agreed that an abortion was necessary, when presented with the circumstances that led to said abortion.
Sure, it's unfortunate that a bunch of people may be trying to flood the gynecological pool to crowd out pro-choice doctors, but I honestly don't think their tactics are going to work. Unless the US regulates the number of people who can become gynecologists (a la communist China), what we'll see instead is the appearance of a lot of small, independent women's clinics where abortions are provided while bigger hospitals and already-established clinics cease to provide the service.
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Date: 2008-08-24 12:39 am (UTC)Also, I think you may be making an assumption here that any doctor who chooses not to perform abortions, will necessarily refuse to do it in all circumstances. As far as I can see, the legislation merely gives the doctor the choice of saying "no" -- but he can still say "yes" if he decides that the situation calls for it. I know at least one pro-lifer who has agreed that an abortion was necessary, when presented with the circumstances that led to said abortion.
Sure, it's unfortunate that a bunch of people may be trying to flood the gynecological pool to crowd out pro-choice doctors, but I honestly don't think their tactics are going to work. Unless the US regulates the number of people who can become gynecologists (a la communist China), what we'll see instead is the appearance of a lot of small, independent women's clinics where abortions are provided while bigger hospitals and already-established clinics cease to provide the service.