Jehovah's Witnesses

[Xiomara]

I apologise if I offend anyone in my ignorance here, however, I have just watched a programme which had a storyline of a Jehovah's Witness being ill and requiring an operation, which possibly meant a blood transfusion. The patient refused to have the operation because of her beliefs.

Now, this is what got me wondering, what if the situation is that the patient is JW and the doctor is also JW and this situation arises, does the doctor refuse to do the operation? Do they mutually agree not to do it? Or does he put the patients needs before his (and possibly the patients) belief system?

[Ethel]

If the patient is a JW he or she will refuse the operation so the question does not arise.

[andrea81]

A doctor agrees a moral oath that he/she will treat anyone who is need of help. I can't see that being an issue for a doctor. I think a person (JW or not) can refuse treatment. I don't think it's right if a parent refuses treatment to their child as the child isn't old enogh to make that decission or have it taken away!

[DONNA1458]

The doctor must put his beliefs aside and provide care whatever the situation, the patient of parents of patient have final say even if it is life or death, but I have heard of muslim doctors refusing to do or put forward women for abortions.

[jake-the-peg]

I would imagine that it's not just moslem doctors who have ethical problems with abortions Donna.

I'd suspect there'd be one or two Catholic ones (amoungst others who'd take the same position)

Interestingly enough the King of Belgium abdicated for a day rather than give royal assent to a bill legalising abortion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baudouin_I_of_Bel gium

[Xiomara]

Thank you for taking the time to reply everyone :0)