#414 Should Doctors Have the Right to Conscientiously Object?

The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

In this episode, Niall asks: Should doctors have the right to conscientiously object to any procedure approved by the medical council — including abortion, assisted dying, or vaccines? The question raises serious debate about the balance between medical ethics, personal morality, and patient rights.

Some callers argued in favour of conscientious objection. They said doctors are not machines, and if a procedure clashes with their deeply held moral or ethical beliefs, they should not be forced to perform it. For them, protecting a doctor's conscience is essential to preserving integrity in healthcare.

Others disagreed, saying personal beliefs have no place in patient care. They argued that doctors are trained and licensed to provide services deemed safe and legal. If they can’t do that, they should reconsider their role in the profession. Patients, they said, should never face delays or judgement because of someone else's views.

Niall reflected that while the right to conscience is important, so too is the trust patients place in the system. Striking a balance between personal belief and professional responsibility remains one of the most difficult questions in modern medicine.