Preachers' Study Day
Held at Chapel Allerton Thurs November 14th 2009
The topic for the annual Leeds NE Circuit Local Preachers' Study Day, held recently at Chapel Allerton Methodist Church, was the question of Christian Responses to issues of Medical Ethics. It was led by the current Vice-President of Conference, Dr Richard Vautrey, a former Vice-President, Professor Peter Howdle, and Dr Stanley Pearson. Dr Vautrey works as a GP in Leeds, and is also Vice-Chair of the GP Committee of the British Medical Association (BMA). Professor Howdle and Dr Pearson are both recently retired hospital consultants. All the speakers are Local Preachers in the Circuit.
Dr Pearson outlined the problems posed by the topic by looking at the relationship between ethics and theology.. He pointed out that the ethical models in the NHS were not necessarily the same as Christian beliefs in that the NHS is a largely secular organisation. Even within the field of medical ethics there can be potential conflicts, which can be exacerbated by cultural issues. For instance, how should a Christian doctor respond to a request for female circumcision (illegal in the UK), or to a request for abortion ? The current abortion legislation has a conscience clause which leaves the decision in the hands of individual doctors. He pointed out that financial considerations were a major issue such as the dilemma over spending on new drugs and new treatments. Should a lot of money be spent on treating one patient, when the same amount could be used for improving the condition of many patients with more minor problems ? The Christian belief of the uniqueness of everyone in the sight of God could cause problems for doctors trying to treat patients, balance budgets and achieve targets all at the same time. Dr Pearson ended by summarising issues for group discussion including questions of the right to die, fertility treatment, surrogacy and the conundrum of the preservation of life at all costs, even if that is at the expense of great suffering.
Professor Howdle addressed issues of death and dying. He pointed out that death is a natural process which raised important questions for doctors on the question of resuscitation. Some treatments, like transplants, can prolong life for a considerable time, but the quality of that life is a factor which doctors also have to take into account. Some treatments are more effective in younger patients than in the very old. He examined in some detail the problems of assisted suicide, assisted dying, 'living wills' and palliative care. Sometimes the drugs used in palliative care can have the effect of shortening life, so raising major ethical problems for doctors. None of these questions are easy for doctors or for Christians to resolve, especially in an increasingly secular society.
The Vice-President, Dr Richard Vautrey, based his address dealing with the beginning of life and the ethics of managing limited healthcare resources, on the opening chapter of Luke's gospel. He used the story of Elizabeth (Luke 1, vv 11-19) to examine questions of fertility treatment and the birth of children to older mothers. He pointed out that in the UK, no fertility treatment is offered over the age of 40, but that overseas different standards apply and that women in their sixties have been successful in giving birth to healthy babies. 'What help should Elizabeth expect from the NHS or the benefits system ? ' he asked. When her son is brought for baptism should the church 'rejoice with the angels' or raise concerns like those of Zechariah ? Dr Vautrey then looked at the situation of Mary (Luke 1, v 35). How should doctors and Christians react to a modern Mary, an eighteen year old single woman requesting IVF treatment on the basis of 'I don't need a man'? The abortion question was considered in the light of Luke 1, vv 41-44 with a woman 22 weeks pregnant wanting an abortion because tests had revealed the symptoms of Downs Syndrome in the unborn child. He examined the medical and ethical problems raised over the whole issues of rights of the mother and rights of the foetus, and pointed out the contrasting views between different Christian groups. He concluded with a brief discussion on stem cell treatment and the ethics surrounding it.
All the presentations were followed by discussion in small groups, when further important points emerged, many based on personal experience. All those present, including a number from elsewhere in the Leeds district, found it a thoroughly challenging and inspiring day, and a wonderful example of Christians applying their principles to some of the dilemmas of the modern world. 'Christians have a responsibility to ask questions about these issues' the Vice-President said in conclusion, and on the day we had done exactly that.
John Clay