An abortion dilemma?
Posted by gravisman on December 7, 2008
Jane has become pregnant and wants an abortion, which is perfectly legal. She goes to her doctor and he says he will not treat her because he is ethically opposed to abortion.
Jill is becoming sexually active and wants to use birth control pills. Her doctor prescribes them for her, but when she goes to the pharmacy, the pharmacist refuses to fill her prescription because he is also ethically opposed.
If you’re reading LR, there’s a decent chance you’re pro-choice as I am, and the actions of the doctor and pharmacist above are probably appalling. The question is, what do we do about it?
If you’ve read LR more than once before, you should already know the answer. Say it with me…..
Nothing!
That’s absolutely right. Without consistent ideology, we don’t really have anything. Being a libertarian – or simply being an ethical human being – is all about abstaining from the use of force to get others to live how you want them to live. If we force the doctor to give girls abortions, then we have enslaved that doctor. If we force the pharmacist to fill all prescriptions, we have enslaved that pharmacist.
Choice is the golden egg that life has wrought humanity. We must protect it at all costs.
Rich said
I’m not even appalled by the actions of the doctor or the pharmacist. People have a right to live by their beliefs. People also have a right, having been refused the treatment of their choice by one service provider, to go elsewhere.
I say it’s all good.