Every now and then I see a news story that just leaves me astounded. Doctors swear to the Hippocratic oath. It’s an interesting read. There are things there that I never realized, and that maybe you didn’t either, or maybe I’m looking at the wrong oath.

So why is this interesting? Well a recent Washington Supreme Court decision came down saying that a "doctor can’t be held liable for failing to stop resuscitation efforts on a baby." That’s right. Can you imagine it? A couple sued a doctor for saving their baby’s life? It’s in the Seattle Times…

A doctor can’t be held liable for resuscitating a baby who was born without a heartbeat and survived with severe disabilities, the state Supreme Court says.

The baby’s parents filed a malpractice lawsuit after the baby’s 2004 birth. They claimed doctors in Vancouver, Wash., were negligent when they continued to resuscitate the baby for almost half an hour, after he was born without a heartbeat.

Imagine that if you will. The baby lived and the parents sued. Sure the baby has disabilities, but isn’t living with disabilities better than death? I know it is for a few of my friends with disabilities.

So what about the Oath? What are some of the things in it?

• I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients,
• I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel
• [I]n like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion.

I have a few questions…

Isn’t life a benefit? Isn’t death a harm? What doctor, having sworn to this could participate in "physician assisted suicide"? Doesn’t that third item prohibit doctors that swear to this from giving abortions?

Who knew that the Greeks had a culture of life? How far we have fallen since Hippocrates… Now for mere convenience we slay the unborn. For mere convenience we would have a doctor ignore his sacred oath and stop attempting to save his patients, and if he doesn’t stop trying to save his patients we SUE HIM.

Thank GOD that the state Supreme Court recognizes that a doctor’s mission is to promote life and not death. At least in this case.

Originally posted at Perri Nelson’s Website.