CMF Ethics Submissions

The General Medical Council will circulate its guidance on Withdrawal of Treatment decisions to all doctors in the next two months. CMF made an official submission last July (available on the website at www.cmf.org.uk/subs/withdraw.htm) and a number of individual members were involved in the subsequent consultation process. Indications are that the document has been improved significantly, but we will know the full story soon. Meanwhile we are preparing a submission on the Lord Chancellor's document on Mental Incapacity. The letter contains guidance on advance directives in large part compiled from advice supplied by the Voluntary Euthanasia Society.

Withdrawal of treatment decisions and advance directives remain significant back door routes to euthanasia, and the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

New Masters Course in Bioethics

Everyday, it seems, some new medical ethical problem appears in the news: whether to do with assisting suicide or withdrawing treatment, human cloning or resource allocation. There is an obvious need for Christians, and especially for healthcare professionals, both to be informed about the breadth of the issues involved and to be clear about the ethical principles at stake. To address this need St Mary's College in Twickenham is starting an MA in Bioethics. It will be the first masters level programme in bioethics or medical ethics in the UK to be associated with a theology faculty or a Christian College and it will be taught from the perspective of the Hippocratic Judeo- Christian tradition. The course will start in September 2002 and will be offered part time over two years with classes/seminars one evening a week during term time. Modules include Principles of Bioethics, Philosophy of the Person, Medical Law and Christian Bioethics as well as topics in more specific areas of medical ethics. For applications and further details please contact Rev Michael Hayes, Head of Department, St Mary's College, Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4SX. Tel: 020 8240 4191. Email hayesm@smuc.ac.uk

National Day of Prayer about Abortion

Since abortion was decriminalised in 1967, more than 5 million unborn babies in the UK have been killed by abortion. Last year 186,200 babies were aborted in England and Wales and a further 11,995 in Scotland. A national day of prayer about abortion will be held on Sunday 27 October, the anniversary of the passing of the Abortion Act. Christians nationwide are asked to organise prayer events or join individually in prayer on the day. A free prayer pack with details of the day, facts and figures about abortion and suggested prayer topics can be obtained from IMAGE, Coverdale Centre, Ardwick, Manchester M12 4FG. Email stuart.image@mcr1 Tel 0161 799 5180.