Adria

 

Didactical path

 

Second year

 

Freedom of conscience

 

 CIVIC EDUCATION

 

Italian

 

Conscience objection and abortion

 

In Italy, conscience objection to abortion is guaranteed by law Nr.194 of 1978, which gave objecter doctors the same rights as young people who objected military service.

Law 194, which allows a 90-day pregnant woman to abort, gives all the hospital workers involved in such practice the right to con science objection as well, on condition that the objector has declared his position to the Health Service.

The obstetrician, by the way, is in a different position from the chemist who cannot refuse to provide a patient the so-called “day-after” pill: indeed, the chemist has to sell such a pill as it is not considered abortive but just a means of contraception.  

The idea of objection implies that the  only way of being faithful to one’s moral and ethical ideas is through the  conscient  (from which the word “conscience”) refusal of the law which is considered wrong.

Conscience objection from a patient

Jeovah’s witnesses forbid blood transfusion for religious reasons: the con science objector who refuses them is responsible for him/herself and his/her choice does not involve other people. Nevertheless, in case of extreme danger, a patient might be forced to accept blood transfusions.

 

 

Incorrect interpretations of conscience objection

Some chemists who refuse to sell meno coms such as the contraceptive pill or the condom, together with some obstetricians who do not make abortions, can be considered an improper interpretation of the idea of conscience objection, in that the objector does not have to face any consequence or civil action.

If the woman is in danger of losing her life, the  doctor cannot object in any case.

 

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