Conscientious objection

Conscientious objection in healthcare remains controversial, and indi-viduals who conscientiously object are often viewed as adhering to a quasi-religious and irrational point of view, which serves only to obstruct patient care. Indeed, Julian Savulescu believes that those who have a strong moral objection to certain aspects of healthcare should seek employment in a different discipline from the outset. An alternative viewpoint is that conscience should pervade medical decision-making and practice, and that a healthcare workforce lacking conscience is highly undesirable. In this article we will examine the meaning of conscience, its current provisions, and limitations in UK law and developing areas of ethical controversy that involve conscience.