World Medical Association rejects mandatory referral for euthanasia

A contentious proposal of mandatory referral—obliging doctors who object to euthanasia to refer to a willing doctor—was rejected last week by the World Medical Association in their International Code of Medical Ethics (ICoME).

There was strong opposition to the move including an open letter organised by the UK’s Anscombe Bioethics Centre which was signed by over 100 doctors and medical ethicists. Currently the WMA’s policies stipulate that “No physician should be forced to participate in euthanasia or assisted suicide, nor should any physician be obliged to make referral decisions to this end.”

A compromise agreement was reached such that patients should be immediately informed if their doctor has a conscientious objection and should be told about their right to consult another qualified physician. It will also provide that patients be given sufficient information to initiate such a consultation, but no mandatory referral.

Supporters of conscientious objection were relieved. “If these proposals had been approved, the impact on the ethical practice of medicine would have been profound,” said Dr Tim Millea, of the Catholic Medical Association. “Physicians would be required to provide or directly refer patients for physician-assisted suicide, abortion, transgender surgery, and other unethical measures.”