by Adam Churchill

Created on: November 04, 2008   Last Updated: November 17, 2008

The Hipocratic Oath, which all doctors are sworn under, stipulates that a Doctor must FIRST DO NO HARM, and second, DO WHAT IS BEST FOR HIS/HER patient, REGARDLESS OF PERSONAL BIAS.

This, quite simply means, that regardless of RELIGION, LIFESTYLE, BAD HABIT, OR GENETICS, if a surgery is REQUIRED to save a person's life, they cannot be denied it.

In addition, the american((as with most)) health care systems repeatedly defy this Oath.

Every second.

It also stipulates that a physician will teach their' craft to any who wish to learn it FREE OF CHARGE, and that no physician sworn under this oath will CHARGE for their' services.

So how is it, then, that a person needs to spend money on "Health Insurance" to cover medical fees which should not exist?

How is it then, that a Mormon Pharmacist can LEGALLY refuse to dispense medicines which are necessary for the mental health of the patient?

How is it then, that a Jehovah's Witness doctor can refuse to perform any procedure requiring blood transfusions, regardless of whether or not it endangers a person's life?

It is amusingly, and pointedly simple.

We, as a people, have forgotten how to care. I've browsed through some of the "Yes" articles, and they chilled me.

How can you really say that another person does not deserve to live, if they have committed no crime, likely have a family of their' own, and have tried to live the best lives they could?

Sure, some smokers started smoking, knowing the health risks involved.

However, a greater number of smokers were smoking BEFORE THEY HIT PUBERTY.

These are the same people who are our' Parents, our Grand Parents, Our' Brothers, Sisters, Aunts, Uncles, and even Sons or Daughters.

Every one of you who wrote an article for the "Yes" side, think about that.

If your' mom, or dad, was refused this surgery, because they smoked, and it cost them their' LIFE, could you really write that mean-spirited, and not even close to humane hate rant saying that smokers "get what they deserve"?

Could you? Really?

I couldn't. In fact, I've gone much further than that. You see, many people do not realize exactly how far this extreme could be taken. All choice could be taken away from you. Your' children could be taught "creationism" without your' consent, or the abillity to change it. Do you realize that if something like this were to happen, it would only take 1, maybe 2 other 'inhumane' rules to break our' abillity to think, and choose for ourselves?

A life where medicine would reach a research stand-still, because it would be "unethical" to test new medicines on people, or animals, regardless of whether they can/have given consent.

A life where science itself reaches a stand-still because narrow-minded people believe that they are "doing the work of the devil".

A life where over-population has gone to a crazy extreme because both abortion, and contraception are illegal.

A life where global warming is assumed to be a myth, and thus, no one does anything.

A life ... that is really, no life at all.

So next time you see a question like this, stop, take a look at the other point of view to the situation, and realize that perhaps, just perhaps, there is only one humane way to answer this question.

And then, perhaps tell our' politicians in charge to stop TAXING tobacco like crazy, and becomming rich people off of it, and BAN IT OUT-RIGHT, sighting that it would save millions in health-care costs.

But do not ever, EVER think that it is the innocent individual, who's family will suffer because of your' inhumane judgement, that is to blame. They do not deserve it, and you should be above such thoughts.

Learn more about this author, Adam Churchill.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.