Do no harm.,!,?

ACP ^ | Pastor of ACP

[2timothy3.16]

Do no harm.

Tuesday August 26^th, 2003

"In 1948 the Nuremberg trials were fresh in the public memory. These had demonstrated that some doctors had decided that certain human beings were of less value than others because of race, religion, handicap, age, infirmity etc., hence it was not unethical to experiment on and to kill them. The World Medical Association, to which the BMA was affiliated, aimed to ensure that doctors would never again be diverted from their proper function; but the traditional medical ethic is once again under attack. " quote taken from www.donoharm.org.uk/

Since 1948, men and women entering the medical profession have taken this oath:

At the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession I solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity: I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due; I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity; The health and life of my patient will be my first consideration; I will respect the secrets which are confided in me; I will maintain by all means in my power, the honor and the noble traditions of the medical profession; My colleagues will be my brothers: I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient; I will maintain the utmost respect for human life, from the time of its conception, even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity; I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honor... The Second General Assembly of the World Medical Association 1948 Quote taken from: www.donoharm.org.uk/gendecl.htm

Yet it is these same men and women who take the oath "... I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient; I will maintain the utmost respect for human life, from the time of its conception, even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity;..." that slaughter the most innocent and defenseless of all human life, the baby in the womb and the elderly.

Exodus 20:13, the Thou shalt not kill.

The word kill, as used here is the Hebrew word "fut." Fut translated into English means to break or dash in pieces, to kill or slay in an unjust manner, cold blooded unjust murder of the defenseless, never used in the killing of animals. The closest thing we in the USA do to the meaning of the Hebrew word "fut" is abortion and euthanasia. Isn't it ironic and sad to realize that the profession that violates the commandment Thou shalt not kill, is also the profession that takes an oath to: "maintain the utmost respect for human life, from the time of its conception".

You might say that I am painting all doctors, nurses and other medical practitioners with the same brush. You might point out to me that many doctors do not do abortions, that many nurses refuse to assist with abortions, and you would be right, but, let me ask you this: When was the last time you saw a doctor taking a stand against abortion? When was the last time you saw a member of the medical profession standing in front of an abortion clinic giving girls on their way in, medical information in support of human life? When was the last time you saw a plaque on a doctor's door saying "member of Doctors for Life"? When was the last time you heard of a doctor refusing to practice at a hospital that does abortions? When was the last time you heard of a doctor refusing to belong to one of the pro-abortion medical organizations like the AMA?

It is sad that the only profession in the USA that violates the commandment Thou shalt not kill is the same profession that takes an oath to do no harm. But it is nice to know that one of the only three hospitals that still refuses to do abortions in Maine is right here in Oxford Hills, Maine.

And while not having an abortion mill in the Oxford Hills area is comforting, it is sad indeed that not one doctor or dentist from the Oxford Hills area is listed on www.cmds.org, the Christian medical and dental association web site.

Lord, you gave them the intellect to become doctors, nurses, dentists and medical professionals, could you please give them the backbone to cleanse their profession of murderers?

Amen.

[2timothy3.16]

A sad commentary on those who are charged with saving lives.

[.cnI redruM]

A certain Presidential candidate used to be a 'doctor' at a Planned Parenthood Clinic. Can it truely be said that he did no harm?

[2timothy3.16]

A certain Presidential candidate used to be a 'doctor' at a Planned Parenthood Clinic.

Who?

[.cnI redruM]

You guessed it. Howard Dean.

[MHGinTN]

I had an interesting e-mail exchange (regarding abortion) with a physician, not too long ago. The physician claimed that the 'Hipp' oath was ignored and any other oath taken by new physicians was done to get past the superstitious ceremonies and get on with medicine. When asked by me, this 'physician' would not honestly answer whether he did abortions or not. Dishonesty is not confined to any particular class or socio-economic level. There are physicians who regard the life in the womb to be only 'potential' thus fair game for death and profit.

[proud2serve]

Really depends on who you ask. One side will say yes, the other will say no. It's a no win situation that's left up to us voters to decide. Personally, I am pro-choice for other people, I don't feel that it is my right to dictate to others what they do, but I wouldn't go to a doctor like that or support him as Pres.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

I have always loved reading the classical translation of Hippocratic oath -


I swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepius and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfil according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant:

To hold him who has taught me this art as equal to my parents and to live my life in partnership with him, and if he is in need of money to give him a share of mine, and to regard his offspring as equal to my brothers in male lineage and to teach them this art - if they desire to learn it - without fee and covenant; to give a share of precepts and oral instruction and all the other learning to my sons and to the sons of him who has instructed me and to pupils who have signed the covenant and have taken an oath according to the medical law, but no one else.

I will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice.

I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art.

I will not use the knife, not even on sufferers from stone, but will withdraw in favor of such men as are engaged in this work.

Whatever houses I may visit, I will come for the benefit of the sick, remaining free of all intentional injustice, of all mischief and in particular of sexual relations with both female and male persons, be they free or slaves.

What I may see or hear in the course of the treatment or even outside of the treatment in regard to the life of men, which on no account one must spread abroad, I will keep to myself, holding such things shameful to be spoken about.

If I fulfil this oath and do not violate it, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and art, being honored with fame among all men for all time to come; if I transgress it and swear falsely, may the opposite of all this be my lot.

~400 BC

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Damn...Posted too soon.

I wanted to include the modern version of the Hippocratic Oath--


I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.

I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

[philomath]

my vote for the original
power to heal lies in subordination of self to service of others
we should live this daily......