Med School 101: You Must Perform or Refer for Abortion.

The ominous influence of the abortion establishment has reached down into medical training, with news that a Canadian medical school plans to deny a medical degree to a young student who has refused to perform or refer for any abortive procedure.

On March 20, a Winnipeg radio station broke the news of a story that had been building quietly at the University of Manitoba since last fall, when its medical school issued a failing grade to a Christian student in his obstetrics and gynecology rotation. The student, who wishes to remain unnamed, has been turned down in three successive appeals, most recently on March 3 by the highest-level appeal committee within the Faculty of Medicine.

This is despite the fact that the student has achieved high grades in every area of study, and is supported by strong words of affirmation from his clinical supervisors, according to Carolee Neufeld, a family friend speaking to LifeSiteNews.com.

The medical student is said to be considering his next moves, including an appeal to the senate of the University of Manitoba, and ultimately a judicial review. He has received support from several pro-life doctors in Manitoba who are concerned about the university's intolerance.

The student's stance sets up potential clash of policy interpretations. Contacted by CJOB Radio News in Winnipeg, Associate Dean Dr. Brian Magwood defended the decision to fail the student. He pointed to university policy that asserts that students are obligated to tell patients about all treatment options which fall within the medical standard of care. (Although liberal conventional wisdom in Canada assumes abortion is a "standard of care," there is no legal right to abortion in Canada.

There is, in fact, a legal void, following a 1988 Supreme Court decision to strike down the previous abortion regulation law on the grounds that unequal access to the procedure threatened a woman's "security of person" under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.)

The University of Manitoba's stance would seem to conflict directly with the stated policy of the Canadian Medical Association, as posted on its web site (cma.ca): "A physician whose moral or religious beliefs prevent him or her from recommending or performing an abortion should inform the patient of this so she may consult another physician. No discrimination should be directed against doctors who do not perform or assist at induced abortions. Respect for the right of personal decision in this area must be stressed, particularly for doctors training in obstetrics and gynecology, and anaesthesia."