Originally Posted by
David House
I don't envy any doctor faced with such decisions, especially if they also have strongly held religious convictions which might conflict with their clinical judgement. When we were in Cebu earlier this year we were involved on a daily basis with a family member who has terminal cancer. Although the neurologist knew she was going to die within 2 years he would not say so directly because of his faith and his belief that such matters are only in the hands of "God". It made handling the situation in the best way much more difficult.
When treating a pregnant women is the doctor primarily concerned for the mother or her potential baby? It cannot be easy, given the strongly held opposing views expressed here.
My position is clear. I don't believe "life" begins until it can survive alone. Until then it is not viable. I can understand the emotional attachment of parents to the changes happening within the mother, and why they feel as they do. Just because one part starts to work ( like the heart) does not mean that "life" exists. It is a bit like saying that a F1 car exists when you are testing the engine in the workshop. Until it goes out onto the track as a finished car, with a driver able to operate it, it is not viable on it's own. I don't intend any insult to anyone but its important to remove the emotion and look at the facts.
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