Læknablaðið : fylgirit - 01.09.1977, Page 21

15
DECLARATION OF OSLO
STATEMENT ON THERAPEUTIC ABORTION
Adopted by the 24th World Medical Assembly,
Oslo, Norway, 1970.
1. The first moral principle imposed upon the doctor is respect
for human life as expressed in a clause of the Declaration of
Geneva: "I will maintain the utmost respect for human life frcm
the time of conception."
2. Circumstances which bring the vital interests of a mother
into conflict with the vital interests of her unbom child create
a dilemma and raise the question whether or not the pregnancy
should be deliberately terminated.
3. Diversity of response to this situation results from the di-
versity of attitudes towards the life of the unborn child. This
is a matter of individual conviction and conscience which must
be respected.
4. It is not the role of the medical profession to determine the
attitudes and rules of any particular state or community in this
mtter, but it is our duty to attempt both to ensure the protec-
tion of our patients and to safeguard the rights of the doctor
within society.
5. Therefore, where the law allows therapeutic abortion to be
performed, or legislation to that effect is contemplated, and
this is not against the policy of the national medical associa-
tion, and where the legislature desires or will accept the guid-
ance of the medical profession, the following principles are
approved:
a) Abortion should be performed only as a therapeutic measure.
b) A decision to terminate pregnancy should normally be approved
in writing by at least two doctors chosen for their professional
canpetence.
c) The procedure should be performed by a doctor ccmpetent to do
so in premises approved by the appropriate authority.
6. If the doctor considers that his convictions do not allow him
to advise or perform an abortion, he mav withdraw while ensuring
the continuity of (medical) care by a qualified colleague.
7. This statement, while it is endorseu uy the •>*riei :i /Issemt-lv
of the World Medical Association, is not to be regarded as bind-
ing on any individual member association unless it is adopted by
that member association.