Q&A: A Woman’s Right to Have Her Tubes Tied
A Woman’s Right to Have Her Tubes Tied
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I recently heard about a case in which a young woman in the U.S. asked her doctor to tie her fallopian tubes, and he refused. In your opinion, is it proper to respect the woman’s right to autonomy, or is it perhaps preferable to avoid such an irreversible procedure in case she changes her mind later, even at the cost of infringing on her autonomy?
Best regards,
Answer
I do not see this as having to do with respecting the woman’s rights. She too has to respect the doctor’s rights. If this goes against his conscience, he has the right not to do it. Of course, his employer may choose not to employ him. That is the employer’s right.
I am not talking here about making decisions in her place out of concern that she might change her mind. That is not your mandate, only hers. But if it conflicts with the doctor’s conscience, then that is his right. As with abortions, treatment of homosexuals, and the like.
Discussion on Answer
If he has no religious considerations and is judging it only morally, I do not see any reason not to do it.
The question is: what should the doctor’s conscience instruct him to do in this case? Perform the surgery or not?