A Call to Australian Doctors concerned with the drift of ethics away from moral absolutes.
VISION: To preserve, in an age of rapid scientific and technological change, traditional medical ethics consistent with absolute values and to preserve the liberty of medical professionals holding these values to practise medicine according to their conscience.
WHAT WE DO: Medicine with Morality seeks to respond to influences eroding these ethical standards. We do this by way of letters, submissions and statements to Members of Parliament and parliamentary committees considering legislation impacting on these ethical standards. We may also need to make submissions to medical organisations and boards when such matters come before them for consideration.
Medicine With Morality was formed in early 2006 to unite doctors across Australia in response to an increasing drift of medical ethics away from moral absolutes.
The actual trigger was the argument in the RU-486 debate that evidence- based medicine alone should govern the use of such drugs. But this line of reasoning ignored consideration of intent and outcome morality. The application of evidence-based medicine in an ethical vacuum reduces human life to its biological function. It is not enough, for instance, to simply discuss the `best´ technique for euthanasia without consideration of its significance for the individual, the doctor-patient relationship, and the community.
Unless we are prepared to compromise in our own practice of clinical medicine we cannot stay out of the debate. There are already significant voices around the world arguing that doctors who, for reasons of conscience, will not offer services that are legally permitted should not be doctors. But how to do it ‘best’ and ‘legal’ is not all that matters.
The erosion is also evident in the work of prominent bio-ethicists who argue for delayed personhood on the basis of self-awareness. This philosophy then legitimises all destructive embryo research, abortion and is extended to infanticide. This definition of personhood – and its absence – can also be used to legitimise euthanasia.
Concerned doctors have the opportunity of joining together in solidarity for the intrinsic value of all human life by signing in to the statement of belief on the right hand side of this page. The specific wording leans heavily on the work of countless others – the latin on our logo is part of the Hippocratic Oath. Those who feel they cannot sign but are supportive of the basic thrust of the statement are free to email me and I can place you on an ‘interest’ list.
Letters and submissions on behalf of the list will be sent to list members and also put on www.medicinewithoutmorality.info. Except where a rapid response is needed (e.g. when a bill unexpectedly comes up for voting and we have already made similar statements) submissions will be sent to members before sending.
Professionals in Australia, other than medical graduates, who are working or have worked in the broad field of medical science, biology or ethics, and who agree with the manifesto can sign in to the associate list.
Signatories names will not be released to media. Telephone numbers and email addresses will not be included in letters nor given to any third parties.
Lachlan Dunjey
Contact Email: lachlan@medicinewithmorality.info
