This today, in the Post. And more needed than ever, is a discussion on freedom of conscience for the medical profession. The comment below highlights the issue well. So I decided to make it a post of its own. Dr. Philip Ney responds to the question “In practice, how hard is it to be pro-life in medical schools these days?”

What about, how hard is it to be a pro-life professor in a medical school? Very hard and becoming harder. Why? Because medical schools are abandoning evidence-based medicine and the pro-life physicians are letting them. Abortion and sexual preference are now designated moral issues, which because they are such, cannot be treated or scientifically investigated.
Thank the Lord I was academically successful (full professor 4 times, academic and clinical dept. head etc.) and was an outspoken pro-lifer. I also lost 3 positions. I know it has become much harder in medical schools.
What would I advise students and young profs? Don’t keep quiet and don’t compromise. If God wants you to get to the top, you will. Remember Joseph and stick to your principles. If you are asked if you would perform an abortion, answer “of course, when and if it is therapuetically indicated and when and if there is good evidence abortion is beneficial and relatively free of harmful effects. Until that time, I will adhere to primum non nocere.”

Don’t forget that the onus of proof rests on those who propose or perform any medical proceedure to show: it is indicated, beneficial, relatively free of harm, done in good conscience, performed only with fully informed consent and then only when all other avenues, less invasive, have been tried and found wanting. Keep insisting, “show me the data.” You can rest assured there is no satisfactory evidence abortion by choice is good treatment and plenty of evidence it is harmful. Ask me for references if you wish.