Posted on April 3, 2008 by Kathy McManus in All, Ethics, Health, Law Comments (22)
Killer Doctor
If your doctor was a convicted killer, would you trust him with your life?
Karl Svensson’s future as a doctor seemed certain when he was accepted to medical school at Sweden’s prestigious Karolinska Institute.
Famed for choosing the annual winners of the Nobel Prize in medicine, Karolinska hand-picked its medical students, selecting an elite group best suited for grappling with the ethics of life-or-death decisions and leading lives devoted to saving others.
But four months into Svensson’s studies, the 31 year-old’s future became unhinged by his past: would-be doctor Karl Svensson had killed a man.
Karolinska officials received two anonymous letters informing them that Svensson had been convicted of murder seven years earlier, shooting to death a trade union worker, in part because Svensson disagreed with the man’s politics. At the time, Svensson had been under surveillance by Sweden’s equivalent of the FBI for neo-Nazi involvement. Police classified the killing as a hate crime.
Svensson maintained his innocence, but was sentenced to 11 years in prison. After six and a half years, he was paroled, and soon accepted to med school.
The medical school could not expel Svensson because there was no government policy allowing for such action under the circumstances. Only when officials discovered that Svensson had falsified his high school transcripts by changing his last name from Hellekant—his legal name under which he was convicted—could they expel him. They did.
But students and officials remained divided. Some argued that a killer should never be allowed to practice medicine. Others said that since Svensson had served his time, he should be permitted to stay in school and become a doctor.
Tell us what you think: Should a man who was responsible for murder be allowed to be a doctor with the responsibility for saving people’s lives? Is it possible for a person to make a responsible contribution to society after making the most heinous one?
Comments (22)
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What does Svensson have to say?
I believe if we aspire to be civilized we should rehabilitate criminals and forgive. I believe a person can change. However, the crime Hellekant-Svensson was convicted of is distressing. Neo-Nazism ideology is toxic. My beloved fiance was murdered in Denmark by skin-heads. The Danish government did nothing to acknowledge the hate-factor. So I have no idea where the killers are now. But in Svenssons’ case, he has gone through medical school … it suggests he wants to help others. What does he have to say now? Does he want to redeem himself? Is he a good doctor?
WOW
I would not like to have a killer treat me or my family whether he served time or not, who’s to say he won’t kill again?
RE: WOW
God's standard for a murder is death sentence not
I would never trust such a man. If a man killed another man, who is made in the image of God, he becomes dangerous. He can do it again, just like jumping from a high cliff, or parachute. God’s law demands payment with life for life, not some 6 years in a room where you read books, watch tv and lift weights! What is that? Justice? And being a doctor? It betrays the profession! During Nazi regime, doctors did gruesome things to supposedly speed up the discovery of ‘life saving’ cures. Give me a break. Ends don’t justify the means!
RE: God's standard for a murder is death sentence not
God's Law?
Viktor, I’m confused at how anyone could know what “God’s Law” is. We can only aspire to live good lives. I don’t know if the doctor in question is good or bad. All I’m saying is let’s give him an opportunity to say something. Again, I am worried about your tone. Who are you to determine a death sentence? Who are any of us to do that?? My dear cyber friend, I have lost many loved ones to violent crimes. And I’m grateful for my ability to forgive the terrible act – and pray the person will redeem themself. I lived in Palestine for a year … and regularly prayed that one terrible act would go un-avenged. Isn’t that what a civilized society is about? ~Sue
RE: God's Law?
God gave us the standard-The Bible
We have this wonderful little book, you know, and anybody can read for themselves what God thinks about stuff. I’m not the one to sentence him; the civil government should uphold God’s law. God does not change, neither His law, from Old Testament to the New. Forget the civilized society! Who decides on the standard in any society? The Fuhrer? Please understand that when man is law, tyranny and massacres come later from it.
RE: God's standard for a murder is death sentence not
huh?
A life for a life was the law in the old testament of the Bible. If you kill someone you seal their fate.I don’t believe this man should get the death penalty,I don’t think two wrongs make a right. However, I don’t think this man should practice medicine.God will deal with him on judgement day.
RE: huh?
Ok lets let pedophile do whatever....
Because God will judge them anyway? Bro, we live in a real world, and real deeds are done here. Justice must be done here as much as possible, as much is known. American law is based on OT law, what part of GOD DOES NOT CHANGE don’t you understand?
RE: Ok lets let pedophile do whatever....
A good view on that ...
A good view on that – appreciate hearing it. I wouldn’t believe in the death penalty myself, but the Bible does say something about the Leaders having authority…justice should be done, yes, and that would have to be whatever the leaders decide.
American Law is indeed very similar to Old Testament law, and I find that very interesting. Thanks for your thoughts, it’s encouraging to see other people out there willing to stand for what’s right, and it’s because of the Bible.
punish for ife
I’m not sure we should punish this guy for life…it states he plead innocent and was found guilty..if we punish everyone for life then w eall be guiltyof being a speeder in cars, or such. I do think he did his time so he should be able to moveon withlife…my son is very similar and his life is ruined altho he di dnotkill he cannotlocate work due to his charge for consensual sex. http://www.rickyslife.com also to the lady above sorry your fiance was murdered my thoughts are with you
he could be the one
This doc was found guilty of murder but who is to say he would not be the one to find a cue for cancer? Alzheimers? So because he lied on his application this is why he was kicked out of school? Can he go to another one?
Killer Doctor
Normally I would be of the mind that a person can pay their debt to society and then should be afforded the opportunity to contribute positively. This situation is compounded by the fact that the killing was a ‘hate crime.’ I would be concerned that his feelings would be reflected in which patients he decided to save or help.
find another career
He’s a murderer and he’s dishonest. I don’t believe these are great characteristics for a doctor.
Better Choices since then...
I don’t really blame him for going by a different name — it could signify that by choosing a new name he has chosen a new life.
But I wonder a few things… Did he legally change his last name, or did he just make one up? Did he choose to be a doctor to “atone” for his past mistakes? And if he still maintains his innocence and he still served the time… Well, I would give him a chance. His past might unfortunately warrant extra observation during school and work, to be sure he doesn’t impose his morals on his patients.
But I think the choices he seems to have made since this thing in his past would point toward his desire for a better future.
Untitled
All I can say is he’s no different than those doctor’s that have malpractice suits hanging on their tails. He actually killed someone,served his time and wants to “help” others, while professional doctors walk around with a degree killing people due to neglect and(or) they still practice medicine and may or may not get a slap on the hand. What’s really worse the one who killed,served his time and wants to help or the ones who have a degree and kill? I’m not saying that I would trust the killer to operate on me, I question why he choose to be a doctor, I think it’s obvious why.
Displacing a more deserving student
With the incredibly high number of qualified and deserving applicants to medical school and the relatively small number of available seats at medical schools, couldn’t Karolinska Institute find a more deserving student? There are many students who don’t come from “privileged” backgrounds and deserve a break in life but never get it! A physician’s tools for healing can just as easily be used for sinister purposes and giving a convicted murderer these same tools not only defies logic, but also gives me pause to rethink the wisdom of the Nobel Prize selection process itself. I wonder how thoroughly they investigate the backgrounds of their laureate candidates.
Do You KNOW if he REALLY did it??
Its not likely anyone here was a witness to his crime. Forgiveness is what this sorry world lacks. I say he should practice, because he could indeed be the one, and that like any patient, everyone should shoulder up their OWN responsibility to research doctors when having medical attention. Use a doctor at your own discretion because, honestly if I’m in dire need of help and he can do it and is willing to, then who am I to shoot myself in the foot for judging a man i don’t even know. Its not highly likely he’s going to kill again knowing good and well he’s being watched and monitored.
Now, unless he killed the guy with a scalpel and pulled some Hannibal Lector stunt….then give the guy a chance to start anew and make amends for the life he allegedly took.
Circumstantial Evidence Should Prevail
I would like to know the pure circumstances of this act before making a life decision for this individual.
Wow....
This guy had the mental capacity to KILL another person simply because he disagreed with them. What if he comes across a Jewish patient? Will they get the same treatment as a non-Jewish patient from him? He is obviously very passionate when his opinion is involved. He is bound to come across someone who is just as passionate be it a patient or a co-worker. Will he be able to restrain himself?
Killer Doctor
I think checking to see if the med-student really was a neo-Nazi should be a factor in whether or not this guy is allowed to practice medicine. If we KNOW this man wants to kill all Jews and advance the Arian race, then we may want to re-think allowing him to be a doctor. Eventually, one day, a Jew may need medical care, and could this man be trusted to give them good care?
Aside from that, it sounds to me like this man has some serious character flaws that would make me uneasy about being a patient of his. From the story we know that he has a temper, he will not abide anyone disagreeing with him (what if someone goes for a second opinion somewhere?). He lies and has killed at least one person. So let him go to med-school if he wants, but the only fair thing to do would be to warn his patients about his behavior, so they at least know what they are getting themselves into when dealing with him.
RE: Killer Doctor
Dr. Mengele
I agree – he could be another Joseph Mengele. Not worth the risk to his (possibly) Jewish patients, or for that matter, his patients who are members of trade unions. Someone this opinionated will not make a good doctor, in my opinion. There may be others practicing the profession just as opinionated as he. There may be thousands of anti-semitic doctors in the world – but have they also murdered people for political beliefs? I hope not – and I hope I do not become their patient.
Hate crime
I feel that this person was convicted of a hate crime. He killed a person whose politics he disagreed with! A person who could to that should not be permitted to be practice medicine, a profession where a person has a very unique ability to alter the course of another person’s life for better or worse. The fact that this person also falsified information, while I can’t blame him for wanting to change his name after committing murder and doing time, shows he is no ready to be truthful, another important requirement for the medical profession.
They have to get prison doctors someplace
Let him become a doctor and practice in prison.