Raymond Barfield
Extract
This discussion leaves us with a very practical question: what do I do if my informed conscience says not to participate in, say, an abortion or some other intervention, while the patient, law, and hospital policy allow it? The only answer I have is the answer common to other human encounters — speak truthfully, quickly and transparently. But do not abandon conscience, which, though certainly fallible, is far better than the alternative of having a person with immense power such as a physician acting without it. Conscience is the imperfect means by which we tether medicine and morality.
Barfield R. Conscience is the means by which we engage the moral dimension of medicine. American Journal Of Bioethics. 2007 Dec;7(12):26-7; discussion W1-2.