Doctors Without Morals

Salon reports on a NEJM article reviewing evidence that military doctors actively participated in torture: I can't get at the article itself -- no subscription -- so if any of my readers do have such a subscription, I'd appreciate if you could forward a PDF of it to amy-politics [at] kafka [dot] com.

The medical community should be up-in-arms about this.The AMA's policy against torture reads:

Torture refers to the deliberate, systematic, or wanton administration of cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatments or punishments during imprisonment or detainment.

Physicians must oppose and must not participate in torture for any reason. Participation in torture includes, but is not limited to, providing or withholding any services, substances, or knowledge to facilitate the practice of torture. Physicians must not be present when torture is used or threatened.

Physicians may treat prisoners or detainees if doing so is in their best interest, but physicians should not treat individuals to verify their health so that torture can begin or continue. Physicians who treat torture victims should not be persecuted. Physicians should help provide support for victims of torture and, whenever possible, strive to change situations in which torture is practiced or the potential for torture is great. (I, III)

I don't see the AMA striving "to change situations in which torture is practiced". I see the AMA striving for tort reform, and reluctant to antagonize the administration that wants to give it to them.

If you are a doctor, make your voice heard. Let all your medical associations, the medical school you graduated from, your residency program, and all your coworkers know: every day you do not protest torture you degrade the medical profession.

If you are a patient, tell your doctors. I'm telling mine.