Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena
| Thesis Title | Conscientious objection in care activities: the situation in Italy and in the European reality |
|---|---|
| Name | Pederzini Karine |
| Supervisor(s) | Seccafieno Elisabetta, Mantovani Matilde |
| Academic Year | 2013/14 |
| Thesis type | Non research thesis |
Abstract
This thesis aims to explore the current situation regarding conscientious objection in care activities in Italy and Europe.
The main finding achieved by the study carried out is that the individual conscience and the law do not always go hand in hand and are reconciled; it can happen that consciousness consider that a law is unjust and immoral, as it requires a provision that is contrary to the moral convictions. This is the reason why some laws provide for the possibility of conscientious objection. As for the nursing profession, the cases in which conscientious objection is contemplated and regulated by our current legislation are the law on the voluntary interruption of pregnancy and the one on medically assisted procreation.
The article on conscientious objection within the codes of practice of the nurse in Italy has been changed within years. It is seen that in the code of 1960 there is no mention of this issue, as with the current code of 2009 the concept of "conscience clause" is even introduced.
The screening of the document "Conscientious objection and bioethics" published by the National Bioethics Committee showed that inside there are different currents of thought, which have conflicting opinions on the issue of conscientious objection in health.
At the European level, with Resolution 1763 "The right to conscientious objection in lawful medical care", approved by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in October 2010, the right of health workers to the objection of consciousness is recognized. It is also seen that the institution of conscientious objection to abortion is recognized in most of the Member States of the European Union, with the exception of Finland and Sweden.