Journal Correspondence Archives - Page 6 of 29 - Protection of Conscience Project Library

(Correspondence) The abortion issue

Patrick G Coffey

Canadian Medical Association Journal, CMAJ — Canadian Medical Association Journal

Extract
Having read the well-written article by Laura Eggertson, I feel that her thrust (and that of Planned Parenthood, the Canadian Abortion Rights Action League, Health Minister Allan Rock, etc.) is that it is a scandal and surprise that a “medically necessary” operation — abortion — is not universally accepted like other procedures You do not hear most of the old debating arguments about abortion any more, but the one that will not go away concerns whether abortion is a medically necessary operation. . . .Abortion is both a moral and a medical issue, and we should not be surprised if people do not regard it as a necessary procedure in the same way they view other operations.

Coffey PG. (Correspondence) The abortion issue. Can Med Assoc J. 2001 Jul 10;165(1):14-15.

(Correspondence) The abortion issue

Will Johnston

Extract
Your homey analogy of abortion as a patchwork quilt — a warm, comforting and maternal object if ever there was one — furthers the dishonourable tradition of euphemizing the medicalized killing of small human beings. . . CMA members remain deeply divided on these issues. An even-handed editorial and reporting style would show respect for this diversity of opinion.

Johnston W. (Correspondence) The abortion issue. Can Med Assoc J. 2001 Jul 10;165(1):15.

(Correspondence) Abortion in proportion (The author responds)

Lynda Buske

Extract
Canada’s comparative ranking in terms of the proportion of therapeutic abortions involving married women should not have been described as a rate. The point being made in the paragraph in question is that the proportion of women receiving abortions in Canada who are either married or in common-law relationships, about 25%, is not unique in international terms.

Buske L. (Correspondence) Abortion in proportion (The author responds). Can Med Assoc J. 1998;159(4):318.

(Correspondence) Some final responses to Dr. Waugh

Timothy J Cuddy

Extract
. . . For people with genuine morals, right and wrong do not change with popular public opinion . . . Before we congratulate our society on its social evolution over the last 50 years, we should reflect on the outcome of the society in history that practised throwing people to the lions, or perhaps the society of the 1940s that practised execution of races believed to be inferior.

[Dr. Waugh planned to respond to these letters but was unable to do so before his death on Apr. 18, 1997. In this issue, CMAJ features a tribute to Waugh (page 1524) as well as an article on issues surrounding access to abortion services (page 1545). — Ed.].

Cuddy TJ. (Correspondence) Some final responses to Dr. Waugh. Can Med Assoc. J. 1997 Jun 01;156(11):1529.

(Correspondence) Some final responses to Dr. Waugh

Paul V Adams

Extract
We can ask ourselves: Where will we stand in 30 years if there are amendments to the Criminal Code in regard to the taking of human life, as are now being discussed? If mercy killing, physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia became legal activities — even under certain restricted guidelines — there would be inevitable progression until widespread acceptance of these practices would be accompanied by major changes in attitudes. [Dr. Waugh planned to respond to these letters but was unable to do so before his death on Apr. 18, 1997. In this issue, CMAJ features a tribute to Waugh (page 1524) as well as an article on is- sues surrounding access to abortion services (page 1545). — Ed.].

Adams PV. (Correspondence) Some final responses to Dr. Waugh. Can Med Assoc J. 1997;156(11):1529.

(Correspondence) Abortion: a violent procedure?

Brian A Shamess

Extract
I too was dismayed and deeply concerned about the attack against Dr. Romalis. None the less, I must comment on Marshall and colleagues’ statement that “we abhor the use of violence in ethical debates.” These students must realize that therapeutic abortion is the only legalized medical procedure in which another human life is taken. . . Certainly the medical community should oppose violence against physicians practising in this area. Even if this perpetrator, or convicted US murderer Paul Hill, was exercising a difficult personal choice in targeting a physician who performs abortion, a violent act against a physician remains as abhorrent as abortion itself.

Shamess BA. (Correspondence) Abortion: a violent procedure? Can Med Assoc J. 1995 May 01;152(9):1376.

(Correspondence) Understanding fanatics and followers (The author responds)

Douglas Waugh

Extract
Dr. Hoaken brings his formidable analytic talents to bear on the problem of assaults on abortionists. Certainly the concept of “justifiable homicide” would or should be abhorrent to us all – I say this as a former soldier in World War II, in which a lot of “justifiable homicide” took place. . . .If I read his letter correctly, his plea is for a greater degree of humane tolerance than seems to prevail now. I could not agree more strongly. I believe that Drs. Fireman and Lemoine would endorse this view. Their comments on the genocidal behaviour in Nazi Germany during World War II are well taken; in an earlier draft of my manuscript I did make this comparison. . . . I believe Fireman, Lemoine and I have similar, if not identical, views on this.

Waugh D. (Correspondence) Understanding fanatics and followers (The author responds). Can Med Assoc J. 1995 Mar 15;152(6):808.

(Correspondence) Methotrexate and misoprostol used in abortions (Author responds)

Ellen R Wiebe

Extract
Of course methotrexate is contraindicated for a wanted pregnancy: it causes abortion in approximately 95% of pregnancies of less than 7 weeks’ gestation. This is why we are using it as an abortifacient. . . . if abortion failed in a women given methotrexate and she refused to undergo surgical abortion, there would be a risk to the fetus. From the experience with RU 486 in Europe we know that women rarely change their minds about abortion in such cases.

Wiebe ER. (Correspondence) Methotrexate and misoprostol used in abortions. Can Med Assoc J. 1994;151(5):518.

(Correspondence) Methotrexate and misoprostol used in abortions

Anthony T Kerigan

Extract
. . . methotrexate is contraindicated during pregnancy. If Wiebe and the University of British Columbia Ethics Committee have information on the safety of this drug during pregnancy perhaps they could share it with readers.

Kerigan AT. (Correspondence) Methotrexate and misoprostol used in abortions. Can Med Assoc J. 1994 Sep 01;151(5):518.

(Correspondence) Methotrexate and misoprostol used in abortions

Ellen R Wiebe

Extract
Medically induced abortion rather than surgical abortion has many advantages and could improve access to abortion in Canada . . . In December 1993 I received permission from the University of British Columbia Ethics Committee to start a pilot study of abortion induced with methotrexate and misoprostol; the study is under way. I would like to hear from other physicians who may be interested in this method.

Wiebe ER. (Correspondence) Methotrexate and misoprostol used in abortions. Can Med Assoc J. 1994 May 01;150(9):1381-1382.