Abstract
There is much food for thought in this original-series Star Trek episode: about the inherent dignity of a rational creature, about the natural relationship between a mother and her not-yet-visible offspring, about the role of the medical profession. If abortion, for example, is deemed the method to end a woman's pain, then the medical professional is supposed to bring his or her technical skill to bear to get the desired result. ' If all medical professionals remembered what the goal of medicine is, and refused to do what violated this goal, conscience clauses exempting individuals from participation in abortion (or, for that matter, assisted suicide and contraception) would be unnecessary.