Politics and ethics: Should the twain never meet?

Abstract

The manner in which the ‘case’ against Professor Cyril Karabus, a South African paediatric oncologist, was conducted in the United Arab Emirates was a travesty of justice. It drew not only worldwide protests and condemnation, but also public commentary that questioned the ethical conduct of medical doctors and healthcare organisations which boycotted the African Health Conference, in a matter some considered to be purely political.