The Spark of Conscience Inflames Debate: Conflicts of Conscience in Medicine

CIHR Cafe Scientifique (see http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/34951.html)

Conscientious refusal by health care professionals to provide health care services, such as abortions, is a subject of intense debate in Canada and elsewhere. Recent discussion in Canada reveals that the Canadian Medical Association lacks a coherent policy on this issue. What should the CMA policy on conscientious refusal be? Should it protect to physicians who conscientiously object to standard health care services? If so, what kind or what degree of protection should it offer? Come to discuss these and related questions.   

Date and time: Nov. 16, 2010--7:00PM

Place: Covent Garden Market, 130 King St., London, Ontario (please enter at the south side of the Market)

Panelists: Prof. Jocelyn Downie, Canada Research Chair, Faculties of Law and Medicine, Dalhousie University; Dr. Robyn MacQuarrie, PhD Candidate (Bioethics), 5th Year Resident (Ob/Gyn), Dalhousie University; Rev. Michael Prieur, Professor of Moral and Sacramental Theology, St. Peter's Seminary.

Moderator: Prof. Carolyn McLeod, Department of Philosophy, The University of Western Ontario