Bob,
Do you disapprove of cadaver organ transplants?
Barbara
----- Original Message -----
From: Robert A. Fink, M. D.<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2004 11:19 AM
Subject: Re: Theresa Rehtom
On 12 Sep 2004 at 12:04, Maxine Krugman wrote:
> bob, i would respectfully request that you cease using the word
> "killed" in reference to a live birth where the couple or couples who
> have had children from whom they hoped to be able to save their ill
> child. these are people who had real children and live births and
> added their new child to their families. in your attempt to sound
> pleasant and bring your medical knowledge to this group, you offend
> me terribly when you equate a child born to loving parents to cells
> in a petri dish. how dare you? maxine
Maxine,
When a human being, pre-born or born, has its life terminated, the word
"killed" is appropriate. Using other euphemisms ("harvested", "sacrificed",
"recycled") doesn't cover up the fact. If the concept of taking the life of a
human being is offensive, well, it should be.
When the life of a criminal is terminated by judicial order (capital
punishment), the verb used is usually "executed"; but those who oppose
capital punishment often use the word "killed", since that is what is being
done.
When a viable fetus is aborted, it is called "aborted", "emptying of the
uterus", "removal of the products of conception", but the word "killed" also
applies.
I use the word "killed", not only because it is correct, but also because it is,
indeed, offensive when the act is described for what it really is.
Best,
Bob
Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S., P. C.
Neurological Surgery
2500 Milvia Street Suite 222
Berkeley, CA 94704-2636 USA
510-849-2555 FAX: 510-849-2557
<http://www.rafink.com/<http://www.rafink.com/>>
"Ex Tristitia Virtus"
Disclaimer: That which is written in my e-mail is not to be
considered as "medical advice". Such advice can only be
given after a formal, in-person, consultation between
doctor and patient.
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