The Point of Medicine
A forum of Christian Medical & Dental Associations®
The Point of Medicine aims to stimulate thought and discussion on the most pressing issues in healthcare. Through this forum, we hope to educate, encourage, and equip healthcare professionals and the Church to practice and advocate for good medicine – that which is God-honoring and committed to the flourishing of the patient as an image bearer. Articles on this forum are intended to promote scholarship and Biblical wisdom, providing clarity on the issues of the day, to bring glory and honor to God.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily express the views of CMDA. To stimulate thought and discussion, articles will end with questions under the prompt, “What Is The Point?” We encourage you to join the conversation on our website with intrigue and humility and share your experience, insight, and expertise. CMDA has a rigorous and representative process in formulating official positions, which are largely limited to bioethical issues. Those official positions can be viewed here.
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BIOETHICS Articles
CMDA Should (Re)-Assert Support for Childhood Vaccination
By Jon Holmlund, MD, MA |
The current measles outbreak in Texas, the ascension of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to the post of Secretary of Health and Human Services and broad societal trends have prompted widespread debate over the wisdom and future of vaccinating children for preventable infectious diseases with meaningful, even major, morbidity and mortality.
President Trump’s Executive Order on IVF
By Andrè Van Mol, MD |
On February 18, President Trump signed an executive order titled, “EXPANDING ACCESS TO IN VITRO FERTILIZATION.” Noting “the importance of family formation,” the prevalence of infertility (“as many as one in seven”), and the high cost of IVF ($12,000 to $25,000 per cycle), the administration committed itself to a policy which would “ensure reliable access to IVF treatment” by “Lowering Costs and Reducing Barriers to IVF.”
“Nature” Does a Face Plant: Promoting the Transgender Suicide Myth
By Steven Willing, MD |
What if an original research paper published in a respected international scientific journal declared that keeping men out of women’s sports or banning the gender transitioning of minors caused an increase in suicide attempts among transgender youth? Wouldn’t you expect them to show actual evidence of an increase? Well, you ought. But they didn’t.
Social Transitioning is Neither Neutral nor Benign
By Andrè Van Mol, MD |
Here at CMDA, we’re often asked about why we, as an organization broadly and as our advocacy team specifically, seem to be more concerned about policy and ethics and less so about domestic missions—for our neighbors in need here in the U.S. These inquires and suggestions are often made out of concern that our engagement in legislation and the ethics around certain life issues comes at the expense or dismissal of the vulnerable.
Scientific Evidence Versus Ideology
By Steven A. Foley, MD |
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) positions itself as a leader in scientific knowledge; however, this commitment seem to falter when it comes to care for transgender patients. Is it because ACOG’s focus is not on scientific evidence but primarily on ideology?
Protecting the Vulnerable After the 2024 Election
By Jeffrey Barrows, DO, MA (Bioethics) |
A frequent quip during an election year is that elections matter, and 2024 was no exception. Now that the 2024 election is over, I want to explore how this election will likely impact our efforts here at CMDA to protect the vulnerable.
Fetal Care Versus Fatal Cure
By David Prentice, PhD |
“Prenatal care has become the biggest barrier to postnatal life.” This lament by a dear friend who is a neonatologist points to the fact that it is often our attitude toward “the least of these” that determines their outcomes, and it is especially true for those diagnosed in the womb with developmental anomalies.
“Gender-affirming Healthcare” for Adults: Is It Helpful?
By Andrè Van Mol, MD |
With transgender interventions on minors, aka “gender-affirming healthcare” (formerly transgender-affirming therapy), falling and failing under scrutiny in about half the U.S. states and numerous nations, it was predictable that proponents of gender transition ideology would double down on claiming it is proven to help adults with gender dysphoria/transgender identification.
PUBLIC POLICY Articles
CMDA Should (Re)-Assert Support for Childhood Vaccination
By Jon Holmlund, MD, MA |
The current measles outbreak in Texas, the ascension of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to the post of Secretary of Health and Human Services and broad societal trends have prompted widespread debate over the wisdom and future of vaccinating children for preventable infectious diseases with meaningful, even major, morbidity and mortality.
In the Trenches: Why Bother?
By Thomas W. Eppes, Jr., MD |
The issues facing physicians are numerous, covering a broad spectrum. From the nuts and bolts of managing daily practice, providing great care as we stay up to date, dealing with the ethical dilemmas facing our patients and communities—it can be overwhelming.
President Trump’s Executive Order on IVF
By Andrè Van Mol, MD |
On February 18, President Trump signed an executive order titled, “EXPANDING ACCESS TO IN VITRO FERTILIZATION.” Noting “the importance of family formation,” the prevalence of infertility (“as many as one in seven”), and the high cost of IVF ($12,000 to $25,000 per cycle), the administration committed itself to a policy which would “ensure reliable access to IVF treatment” by “Lowering Costs and Reducing Barriers to IVF.”
Federal Judge Blocks Gender Mandate
By Brick Lantz, MD |
We want our CMDA members to be aware we are tracking the outcome of President Trump’s orders to protect vulnerable youth from transgender distortion.
The USAID Imbroglio: A Misinformation Campaign—Part 1
By Steven Willing, MD |
Between my junior and senior years, I worked a summer job as a secretary-typist with the reviled United States Agency for International Development (USAID). What can I say? I was only 18 and not yet attuned to the subtle tells typically attributed to international criminal organizations.
An Update on PEPFAR from CMDA
By Jeffrey Barrows, DO, MA (Bioethics) |
In 2003, President George W. Bush launched a program called The President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has become one of the most successful foreign aid programs in United States history. According to the State Department, as of September 30, 2023, PEPFAR has saved 25 million lives and enabled 5.5 million babies to be born HIV-free.
Empty Cradles, Empty Nurseries
By Steven Willing, MD |
As if reading from the same script, both the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal ran feature-length articles recently on the plummeting birth rates of the advanced Euro-American and East Asian nations. This phenomenon has been known for some time and continues to grow. Why is it a problem? What are the causes? What are the solutions?
Protecting Life Before Actions Can’t be Undone: 2024 State Abortion Ballot Amendments
By Nicole D. Hayes |
If the electorate is not transparently educated about the devastation these amendments will bring, we can almost be assured the trickery used by abortion proponents will result in permanent loss. Repealing constitutional amendments is extremely difficult, so we must pray and do everything we can to oppose the amendments.
The Power and Permanence of State Amendments
By Jeffrey Barrows, DO, MA (Bioethics) |
The pro-abortion forces in our country now recognize an effective path forward to remove all abortion restrictions around the country. It requires spending tens of millions of dollars, but it’s well worth it since that money will be earned back from all the abortions that will be allowed once state amendments are passed.
We encourage you to join the conversation here on our website and share your experience, insight and expertise. CMDA has a rigorous and representative process in formulating official positions, which are largely limited to bioethical areas.
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