Scottish Catholic Observer

Those who attended the event included the SPUC team, such as CEO John Deighan and press Officer Michael Robinson, speakers Dr Toni Saad and Dr Gordon MacDonald, and young healthcare professionals who took part in a panel discussion.

Two of the young healthcare professionals are studying in the medical sector and one is studying Pharmacy.

Pro-life volunteers also attended and a question and answer session took place with pro-life supporter and MSP John Mason.

Human rights

One of the young healthcare professionals, Hannah O’Neill, commented: “I think the conference went really well, it allowed pro-life people to come together and learn more about the issue and also to network with others involved in the movement.

“A good number of people turned up but I do hope that the conference numbers grow in the future as more people become interested and involved in this human rights battle, that is the fight against abortion.”

She added that the discussion at the conference involved ‘the role of pro-life healthcare professionals and their right to conscientious objection.’

Ethics

She said: “Dr Saad spoke to us about the hippocratic ethic, this was very interesting and beneficial for myself as a young healthcare professional to hear an academic speak on this issue, as this wasn’t something ever covered in my degree curriculum.

“Joe, Nadine and I spoke about our experiences at university and within various care settings surrounding the abortion issue. Our panel discussion explored the teaching of ethics, or lack thereof, in our degrees and the practical implications of this in our experiences with peers and superiors.

“The topic was very relevant to me as I currently feel very anxious about my future as a pro-life pharmacist.

“The uncertainty of gaining employment following my training year was something constantly on my mind and so I was glad to hear the discussion at the conference surrounding the protections in law that exist for Catholic and other pro-life pharmacists,” she said.