Posted by Shy_Girl on April 28, 2005, at 11:27:10
In reply to Re: Dr. Bob, you overstepped the boundaries, posted by Joslynn on April 28, 2005, at 10:33:32
> I think that someone who is a doctor takes an oath to protect life and that oath would trump his role as an objective board moderator.
True, but a doctor doesn't have the responsibilies of a doctor 24/7. He is most definately not supposed to act as a doctor here. I think it is the same situation as a doctor who comes across a person who is injured on the street...the doctor has no obligation is stop and help, unless of course there is some minimum good samaritan-type law...but even then I highly doubt it would require anything more than calling for some help. It's not particularly NICE to NOT help, but still, I don't think there is an obligation, and there shouldn't be.
>I don't think a physician could find it easy to look the other way when someone is about to commit suicide, because of their pledge to protect life.
>Is the pledge to PROTECT life??? I think it is more like "Do no HARM", in which case doing nothing is doing no harm...because one isn't "doing" anything. Also, autonomy must be respected. If a person tells a doctor to NOT resusitate or treat, the doctor MUST comply...even if it means the patient will die. Treating against the patient's will would be the same as ASSAULT.
Anyways, I know my particular opinions about suicide aren't popular. It's ok, most of society has a philosophy of life. I'm an ASHer, and it is my wish to die by my own hand. (Not a threat, also I would never ENCOURAGE another to kill themselves...that is against the LAW).
Shy_Girl
poster:Shy_Girl
thread:483475
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20050417/msgs/490842.html