Problem: RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN ABORTIONS
Caregivers have a right to refuse to participate in abortions and can abstain from involvement in abortions as a matter of conscience, religious beliefs, or moral conviction. In a Missouri case, Doe v. Poelker, 1 the city was ordered to obtain the services of physicians and personnel who had no moral objections to participating in abortions. The city also was required to pay the plaintiff's attorneys' fees because of the wanton disregard of the indigent woman's rights and the continuation of a policy to disregard and/or circumvent the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings on abortion.
Ethical and Legal Issues
1. Describe the ethical issues raised in this case.
2. Should a caregiver have a right to refuse to participate in abortions? Explain your answer.