Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Jul;110(1):217-20. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000263915.70071.29.
Sterilization, like any other surgical procedure, must be carried out under the general ethical principles of respect for autonomy, beneficence, and justice. Women requesting sterilization should be encouraged to discuss their decision and associated issues with their husbands or other appropriate intimate partners. The physician who objects to a patient's request for sterilization solely as a matter of conscience has the obligation to inform the patient that sterilization services may be available elsewhere and should refer the patient to another caregiver. The presence of mental capacity does not, in itself, justify either sterilization or its denial. When a patient's mental capacity is limited and sterilization is considered, the physician must consult with the patient's family, agents, and other caregivers in an effort to adopt a plan that protects what the consulted group believes to be the patient's best interests while, at the same time, preserving, to the maximum extent possible, the patient's autonomy.
绝育手术与其他任何外科手术一样，必须在尊重自主、行善和公正等一般伦理原则下进行。应鼓励要求绝育的女性与丈夫或其他合适的亲密伴侣讨论其决定及相关问题。仅因良心问题而反对患者绝育请求的医生有义务告知患者其他地方可能提供绝育服务，并应将患者转介给其他医护人员。具备心智能力本身并不足以成为进行绝育或拒绝绝育的理由。当患者心智能力有限且考虑进行绝育时，医生必须与患者的家人、代理人及其他医护人员协商，以制定一项既能保护被咨询群体认为符合患者最佳利益的方案，同时又能在最大程度上维护患者自主权的计划。
