Doctors should follow Marc Stern's example

Congratulations to Dr. Marc Stern ["Executions: Doctor drew 'line in sand,' " page one, June 23]. A doctor taking a principled stand shouldn't be news, but more and more medical personnel are being asked to park their consciences at the curb.

There are those who want to make taking part in execution, physician-assisted suicide and abortion mandatory for doctors, with no room for conscience. Does violating one person's conscience make life better for all?

The death penalty makes us uncomfortable because our consciences tell us it's unnecessary and cruel. Our state has executed 77 men since 1904. Conscience also tells us abortion is unnecessary and cruel. Washington state sees 23,000 abortions per year, and not one of those victims could have been guilty of anything. Will it be a front-page story when a principled doctor resigns rather than performing abortions?

When life is devalued we end up with a paper full of kids attacking a dog, kids attacking animal-loving women, teens beating a police officer, sisters brawling in public and a son charged in his mother's death. Are we really creating a better society by dishonoring life at its beginning and its end?

-- Pam Gunderson, Redmond