Some final responses to Dr. Waugh
CMAJ 1997;156:1529
Re: "Abortion and our changing society" (CMAJ 1997;156:408) by Dr. Douglas Waugh
Before we assume that the attitude of Canadians is changing, we should consider the likelihood that a small number of Canadians are pushing for changes, whereas apathy to resist them remains a consistent feature of the Canadian public (and its medical leaders). With our thorough knowledge of human development many physicians, even those who perform abortions, feel uncomfortable with this issue of taking rather than saving lives.
I hope that physicians reading the article do not follow like sheep the implication that changing values are just an inevitable outcome. For people with genuine morals, right and wrong do not change with popular public opinion. Giving up right and wrong under duress implies that one's morals are not genuine. I should also note that former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was likely referring to the process of true justice, not a process that confuses legal and illegal with right and wrong.
Before we congratulate our society on its social evolution over the last 50 years, we should reflect on the outcome of the society in history that practised throwing people to the lions, or perhaps the society of the 1940s that practised execution of races believed to be inferior. Thank you for pointing out the work that needs to be done.
Timothy J. Cuddy, MD
Burlington, Ont.
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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