Thursday February 21, 2002
CHRISTIAN DOC THREATENED WITH LOSS OF LICENCE OVER REFUSING PILL PRESCRIPTIONS
University of Toronto Prof Says Doctor unwilling to perform abortions should "find another job"
BARRIE, ON, February 21, 2002 (LSN.ca) - A Christian family doctor in Barrie Ontario is in danger of losing his licence to practice medicine for refusing to prescribe the birth control pill to unmarried women. Dr. Stephen Dawson faces a discipline committee at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) in April after four women made formal complaints to the college about being refused the pill.
Dr. Dawson also says he does not to provide abortions, offer the-morning-after pill to unmarried women, or prescribe Viagra (a sex enhancement drug) to unmarried men. "If a Christian physician must forsake his religious beliefs to maintain his medical licence, we cannot delude ourselves to believe we live in a free country," Dawson told the Barrie Examiner.
The CPSO says Dawson has been charged with 'professional misconduct in that he failed to meet the overall moral and professional standard of care' and awaits the ruling of the disciplinary committee comprised of three doctors and two members of the public. If found guilty he faces: a reprimand, a suspension, imposition of conditions on his licence, or losing his licence altogether.
Dr. James Robert Brown, a professor of science and religion at the University of Toronto, told the Examiner doctors must perform abortions and offer contraception and if they refuse, "Fine - just resign from medicine and find another job." Brown said, "Suppose someone (doctor) said, 'I'm uncomfortable with (treating) a minority,' I'd say, 'So long scum'." He concluded: "Religious beliefs are highly emotional - as is any belief that is effecting your behaviour in society. You have no right letting your private beliefs effect your public behaviour."
Alternately, Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition praised Dr. Dawson. "I think it's great. He's one of the few doctors I've heard of recently whose acting responsibly, Hughes told LifeSite, noting studies which have found the pill to increase the risk of cancer, and other deadly diseases.
Express your concerns to the CPSO or Professor Brown:
See the coverage in the Barrie Examiner:
http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/examiner/archives/022102/news2.html
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