Physicians, Not Conscripts — Conscientious Objection in Health Care

Ronit Y. Stahl, Ezekiel J. Emanuel

New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM
New England Journal of Medicine

Journal Summary
Conscientious objection laws give health care professionals the legal right to refuse, on the basis of personal beliefs, to perform certain procedures or care for particular patients. The authors argue that professional societies should declare conscientious objection unethical.


Stahl RY, Emanuel EJ.  Physicians, Not Conscripts – Conscientious Objection in Health Care. N Engl J Med 2017; 376:1380-1385 April 6, 2017 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMsb1612472