Some final responses to Dr. Waugh
CMAJ 1997;156:1529
In the article "Abortion and our changing society" (CMAJ 1997;156:408), Dr. Douglas Waugh comments on the remarkable change in the attitude in the medical profession and the public toward elective abortion during the past 30 years. Since therapeutic abortion was legalized in 1969 and subsequently removed entirely from the Criminal Code, there has been a steady rise in the number of therapeutic abortions. What was once considered to be totally unacceptable for a physician, and immoral and unethical in the eyes of the public, has become widely accepted. This should cause us to stop and think.
We can ask ourselves: Where will we stand in 30 years if there are amendments to the Criminal Code in regard to the taking of human life, as are now being discussed? If mercy killing, physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia became legal activities -- even under certain restricted guidelines -- there would be inevitable progression until widespread acceptance of these practices would be accompanied by major changes in attitudes. The public perception of legalized killing would change. The medical profession's attitude would change. People who are elderly, infirm or mentally or physically disabled would be increasingly at risk. This is a frightening thought and not beyond the realm of possibility. We must be alert.
Paul V. Adams, MD
Winnipeg, Man.
Dr. Waugh planned to respond to this letter but was unable to do so before his death on Apr. 18, 1997. In this issue, CMAJ features a tribute to Waugh (page 1524) as well as an article on issues surrounding access to abortion services (page 1545). -- Ed.
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