Not valid since the meeting of the Executive Board of the Finnish Medical Association 26 September 2007! Approved by the Executive Board of the Finnish Medical Association 11 June 1996 The basic ethical duties of the doctor are to respect life and to serve humanity. In
some instances the doctor may find him/herself in a situation, where these commitments are
in contradiction with the wishes of the patient and sometimes they are in contradiction
with the society. This is especially true when the life and well-being of an embryo or
foetus is in question. The concepts of humanity and human rights have taken millenniums to evolve. Written
"bills of rights" during the last few centuries have basically granted citizens
protection against their governments and some power to announce individual opinions.
Philosophers of the age of enlightenment maintained, as expressed in the United States
Declaration of Independence (1776) that all people are "endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights". These "natural rights" were distinct from
"civil rights" approved by the governments. In 1948 the United Nations published
the universal declaration of human rights as a standard for all nations. In the
declaration of the rights of the child the UN declared in 1959 that: "The child by
reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including
appropriate legal protection before as well as after birth". In order to explain the ethical background of the doctor and make it understood and
accepted by the general public, the World Medical Association gives a declaration on the
rights of the unborn. Life on earth has begun in ancient times and then developed into millions of different
living species. The life of an individual human being begins with conception and ends with death. Societies have created their constitutions and other legal and moral codes, according
to which rights are granted to the members of the society. The whole society is committed
to defend these rights. Rights accumulate gradually with age, full rights of the society
are usually granted when an individual reaches the full legal age. The right to life is the most basic of all rights, and belongs also to the embryo in a
mothers womb. Societies have to provide legislation concerning events that invade this
right. The physician respects all forms of life. Different societies have in laws or otherwise
defined at which stage the life of an embryo or foetus is protected like the life of a
new-born baby. From the medical point of view this stage is at latest reached when the
foetus could continue life outside the mothers womb. Every child has the right to be born in a socially safe environment and have a mother
and a father. To avoid unwanted pregnancies young people should early enough be taught a responsible
attitude in the establishment of a family and in getting own children. They have to be
taught the basic facts of reproduction and be informed about family planning and
contraception. Counselling ought to be accessible to all. It is recommended that those parents who so want can get relevant information about the
health of their expected child. Expert counselling has always to be part of releasing
information of the sickness or heritage of the unborn child. The pregnant woman must not be exposed to work or environment which could carry a risk
to the normal development of the unborn. Health counselling must be guaranteed to the pregnant woman, so that she could act in
the best interest of the unborn and avoid risks which could jeopardise its healthy
development. During the pregnancy the mother must be offered regular controls to exclude and prevent
diseases and other risks. Diseases threatening the mother or the unborn have to be taken care of in proper
fashion. Check-ups and treatments in the interest of the unborn have to be easily
available to the mother. Risk factors threatening the safety of the delivery have to be searched for with
regular check-ups and if possible treated during pregnancy. It is advisable to give the
mother and the father counselling in order to prepare them to the delivery and nursing of
the new-born child. In choosing the time, place and method of delivery the safety of the mother and the
baby is of the highest priority. Hygienic and well equipped facility as well as well
trained personnel have to be available to the mother. The physician shall in all possible ways try to promote the rights of the unborn given
in this declaration.THE RIGHTS OF THE UNBORN
Preamble
Beginning of life
Civil rights
Right to life
Right to be born wanted
Right to healthy development
Right to safe delivery
Physician as the protector of the unborn
Förbund
The Finnish Medical Association -
Health Care and the Medical Profession in Finland
Association
