HUMSS - Javier Martínez-Torrón

Conflicts of conscience in areas involving respect for human life

Conflicts of conscience tend to proliferate in health professionals as interventions such as abortion or euthanasia are recognized by state laws not only as legitimate activities, but also as part of the ordinary services provided by the public health system. This fact creates serious moral dilemmas in health professionals who understand their profession as saving lives and not terminating lives, and who may be subject to pressure, or even dismissal, if they refuse to yield deeply felt beliefs that are an essential part of their identity. In my presentation, departing from an explanation of the fundamental right to freedom of conscience from a general perspective, I would provide what I understand as a necessary basis to try to provide adequate solutions to these problems in ways that least impair the rights of people (or institutions) that held opposite views in such important matters.