#194 – Conscientious Objection and Duty of Care 🗓
With Larry Worthen
The swift advance of euthanasia and assisted suicide (MAiD) in Canada and its corresponding effect on conscience rights should be a cautionary tale for the rest of the world. Nova Scotia doctors are currently fighting to practice medicine against regulators who are trying to normalize the practice of euthanasia by requiring an "effective referral" of patients to the service. As the number of disturbing cases expands, more and more doctors are unable to comply with regulators who are threatening discipline for non compliance.
Further resources:
- The Way of Medicine by Farr Curlin & Christopher Tollefsen
- Professional Standards Regarding Conscientious Objection - CMDA Canada
- Dying with Christ, Living with Hope - a resource for churches
Recommended Books:
- Dignity Therapy: Final Words for Final Days by Harvey Max Chochinov
- How Should We then Die?: A Christian Response to Physician-Assisted Death by Ewan C. Goligher
- On Death and Dying: A Catechism for Christians by Ewan Goligher & Kyle Hackmann
- A Guide to Discussing Assisted Suicide by Blaise Alleyne & Jonathon Van Maren
Larry Worthen
Larry Worthen is a graduate of Dalhousie Law School (1981) who had a career in management in the not-for-profit sector and the provincial government. He is a trained facilitator, adult educator, and mediator. In his role as CMDA Canada’s Executive Director, Larry has engaged in advocacy work for conscience rights and patient access to care and against euthanasia’s introduction and subsequent expansion. In May of 2013, he graduated from the Atlantic School of Theology with his MA in Theology and Religious Studies. Larry is married to Dr. Linda Gagnon and resides in Nova Scotia, Canada. Larry and Linda have two children, six grandsons and two granddaughters.
