Sacramento, CA (LifeNews.com) -- The California Medical Association has rejected a measure sponsored by euthanasia advocates that would have weakened its official stance against legalizing assisted suicide.

Pro-euthanasia members of the doctors group introduced three resolutions to have the CMA take a neutral stance -- something that would have weakened the coalition of pro-life, disability and medical groups that have repeatedly stopped legalization bills in the California legislature.

Dr. David Stevens, the head of the Christian Medical Association told LifeNews.com he was pleased the measures were defeated. He said the physicians who introduced them were following the “roadmap” used in Oregon to legalize the grisly practice there.

Stevens said that a board member of his group, Dr. Tom Baden testified before the CMA’s reference committee, and several other CMDA members were there to oppose these resolutions.

"It has become apparent that pro-euthanasia organizations are employing a strategy to target many state medical societies through member resolutions this year,” he told LifeNews.com.

“If a medical association takes a neutral position, this will be the green light for them to pour funds and time into a referendum or legislation in that state. They see the medical community's stance as the chief obstacle to overcome,” he explained.

Dr. Stevens urged pro-life advocates to “to stay alert to the resolutions being introduced in their own medical association and to alert CMDA when this activity occurs.”

He said it is crucial to keep assisted suicide contained in Oregon because he worries he will expand nationwide if only one or two more states legalize it.