A SECOND OPINION
This space is for our physician members to speak their minds freely on both medical or non-medical issues of the day and respond to the opinions of others . The GLMS Editorial Board reserves the right to choose what will be published . Please note that the views expressed in A Second Opinion or any other article in this publication are not those of the Greater Louisville Medical Society or Louisville Medicine .
Medical Ethics Principles and Unethical Law
by GORDON TOBIN , MD
Medical ethics principles call for compassion and effective care for all in caregiving and health policy . These high principles are well-expressed in the Belmont Report , 1 which calls for : 1 ) Beneficence ( do only good — never harm ); 2 ) Justice ( bring good to all , equally ); and 3 ) Respect all recipients as individuals ( Autonomy ). These principles derive from the highest instincts of human kindness and compassion , as expressed by the world ’ s great religions and noble philosophies . Fine examples are the Golden Rule of treating others as you would wish treatment ( Matthew 7:12 ), and the Good Samaritan parable , describing care given a victim who was thrown beside the road and passed over by leaders of the day ( Luke 10:25-37 ).
I commend the Kentucky Medical Association for opposing this legislation and standing for medical ethics principles of compassion and evidence-based care for all . I also commend the few dissenting
legislators , including medical professionals Rep . Kim Moser , RN and Sen . Karen Berg , MD .
I ask Kentucky physicians to join these principled medical leaders in seeking reversal of this cruel and unethical legislation .
References :
1 https :// videocast . nih . gov / pdf / ohrp _ appendix _ belmont _ report _ vol _ 2 . pdf
2
https :// apnews . com / article / transgender-care-bill-kentucky-legislature-e7c0bfb0e6cdfb1144451efe677108d6
Dr . Tobin is a professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine , Department of Surgery , Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery . He practices with UofL Physicians – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery . He is also a Past President of the Kentucky Medical Association .
Transgender youth are today ’ s victims cruelly left at society ’ s roadside , with documented increased suffering and tragically high suicide rates from social stigma , bullying and lack of support . Evidence-based medical care and counseling is well-documented to relieve much of this suffering , and to save many lives of these young souls .
Shamefully , the Kentucky Legislature has rejected the Good Samaritan principle , and stepped over these victims at our roadside by passing SB 150 , which forbids transgender care of Kentucky youth , and by overriding Governor Beshear ’ s veto . 2
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