Pubdate: Mon, 13 Sep 1999
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 1999 San Francisco Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Forum: http://www.sfgate.com/conferences/
Author: Dr. Michael J. Franzblau

WHIFF OF NUREMBERG

Editor -- Today's Chronicle (September 7) is carrying a news article, "One
Approach to Crack Babies -- Women Paid Not to Have Children."

In my view, this has the whiff of Nuremberg. It is a direct violation of the
first statement in the Nuremberg Code of Medical Ethics that before any
procedure, therapeutic or experimental, "informed, freely given consent" of
the patient is a sine qua non of ethical medical practice.

Any physician participating in the sterilization of patients is guilty of
unethical conduct, since no addicted patient with the offer of $200 can give
meaningful consent.

No matter how laudable the goal, physicians should not engage in this type
of activity.

Dr. Michael J. Franzblau, San Francisco

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